Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Department of Health Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, USA

Publications

• Case Report   
  Rattlesnake Envenomation in the Setting of Disrupted Lymphatic Flow: A Case Series
  Author(s): Molly Brady*, Mary Junak, Geoffrey Smelski and Farshad Mazda Shirazi
  
  Objective: Rattlesnake envenomation is a pathophysiologically complex process with a range of local effects including pain, erythema, local edema resembling compartment syndrome, ecchymosis that extends beyond the bitten extremity, as well as the development of blisters, bullae and tissue necrosis in severe cases. Previous animal studies have suggested that lymphatic flow is a crucial part of dissemination of venom after initial injection to produce systemic effects. However, the effects of baseline lymphatic obstruction on local injury in humans have yet to be described clinically. Methods: Three cases of patients that sustained rattlesnake bites with a history of lymphatic disruptions were reviewed, two with histories of mastectomies and one with chronic lower extremity lymphedema. All three patients experienced bites on t.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2161-0495.20.10.455

  Abstract HTML PDF