Regional medicine case report


Acute respiratory failure following scorpion stings: Anaphylaxis or severe systemic envenomation?

Austin Castillo BS, Pradeep Attaluri BS

ABSTRACT

Scorpion stings can cause a range of reactions which includes severe systemic envenomation resulting in respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, and severe neurologic complications. Patients with allergies to scorpion venom or allergies to bee and ant venom can have anaphylactic reactions following scorpion stings. We report a patient who developed severe respiratory distress following 2-3 scorpion stings on her face. She required an emergency cricothyroidotomy and prolonged hospitalization, related in part to underlying comorbidity. Physicians caring for patients following scorpion stings need to remember that these patients can have severe reactions to the venom, including anaphylactic reactions. The initial management likely involves respiratory and cardiac resuscitation. These patients may have a very difficult intubation and require an emergency surgical airway.

Keywords: scorpion, envenomation, acute respiratory failure, anaphylaxis




Article citation: Castillo A, Attaluri P. Acute respiratory failure following scorpion stings: Anaphylaxis or severe systemic envenomation? The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2018; 6(22):47–50.

From: Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

Submitted: 10/25/2017

Accepted: 1/5/2018

Reviewers: James A Tarbox MD

Conflicts of interest: none