Cobra envenomation: an uncommon emergency

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Neurology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Cobra envenomation presents significant medical challenges.
• Prompt management is crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

• A patient developed transient neurological sequelae during air evacuation following a cobra bite.
• The patient required endotracheal intubation due to these neurological effects.
• A hypersensitivity reaction to cobra antivenom occurred, necessitating intervention.

Findings:

• The hypersensitivity reaction to cobra antivenom successfully responded to diphenhydramine treatment.
• The envenomation bite wound, initially edematous and necrotic, improved with conservative therapy.
• The patient was discharged on the fifth hospital day with a positive prognosis.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of managing antivenom hypersensitivity reactions.
• Conservative wound care can be effective for managing necrotic bite wounds.
• Highlights the need for specialized care in managing complex snakebite emergencies.