1999 Volume 60 Issue 9 Pages 2512-2516
Hemorrhagic diathesis due to viper bite is caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in most cases. We experinced a case of viper bite, with that different clinical course from previous reports. A 71-year-old man who was bitten at the left 4th and 5th fingers was brought into the hospital by ambulance. During a tension decrease incision for severe swelling of bitten region. he suddenly had massive hematemesis. Multiple hemorrhagic erosion at the upper esophagus to upper stomach was ensured by an emergency endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract. The platelet count decreased markedly to 0.5× 104/mm3, but another coagulation examination was normal. The platelete count was recovered to 14×104/mm3, on the next day. Consciousness loss lasted for 3 days after viper bite. These symptoms were improved by administration of antivenin and nosotropic therapy and the patient was discharged from the hospital 20 days after viper bite. Viper bite can follow such atypical course as this case did and careful attension is necessary.