A rare case of acute pancreatitis following snake envenomation with fatal outcome

Abstract

The case study herein reported depicts a case of neurotoxic envenomation with common krait (Bangarus caeruleus) in a young farmer from a small village in India, which was unexpectedly complicated with acute pancreatitis. Patient developed features of acute abdomen on the third day of envenomation, and based on the laboratory and radiological findings, acute pancreatitis was diagnosed. Subsequently, consumptive coagulopathy, renal failure, and respiratory insufficiency set in. Despite timely administration of anti-snake venom and supportive treatment including hemodialysis, fresh frozen plasma and thrombocyte transfusion, and mechanical ventilation, the patient succumbed to severe toxemia of pancreatitis on the seventh day of envenomation. Pancreatitis associated with snake bite is an exceptional complication, and hence, we report this case on account of its rarity.