Life-threatening airway obstruction from rattlesnake bite to the tongue

We describe the case of a 41-year-old man who suffered a bite to the tongue from the Western Diamondback rattlesnake (C atrox). Life-threatening obstruction of his upper airway secondary to massive edema of the tongue and other soft tissue structures quickly followed envenomation. Nasotracheal intubation, IV antivenin, and supportive care resulted in complete recovery with no permanent deficits. Rattlesnake bites to the tongue are rare and pose an unusual cause of airway obstruction.