Non-fatal acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis following snake bite: A case report

Acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is a fulminant inflammatory disease of cerebral white matter, characterised by demyelination and haemorrhagic necrosis. The outcome is usually fatal with only few survivors. An unusual presentation of a 44-year-old South Indian farmer who developed AHL following a snake bite is reported. Though the initial brain imaging showed extensive involvement of the white matter with multiple haemorrhagic foci, the patient improved spontaneously with no specific therapy. A repeat magnetic resonance imaging of the brain 28 days after the snake bite confirmed radiological improvement.