MRI imaging of snake bite induced leukoencephalopathy

Abstract

Snake bite has been considered to be a fatal rather than harmful to life with regards to severe adversities in the form of mortality and morbidity in tropical and subtropical countries like India. Aftermath of neurological deficits have been very well postulated following vasculotoxic snake bite which trigger intracranial hemorrhage or subarachnoid bleed commencing due to consumption coagulopathy. In addition to this ischemic strokes and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis have also been detected in some instances. One case of snake bite is hereby reported leading to leukoencephalopathy. Impact of neurotoxins may trigger within minutes extending upto a few hours following inoculation of venom thus causing fatigue, drowsiness, weakness and trauma concerning to blockage of synaptic transmission at either presynaptic or postsynaptic levels. Occasionally, cerebral infarction may not be due to snake bite and may be owing to underlying medical illness.