Sublingual hematoma following viper envenoming

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming causes considerable morbidity and mortality in rural, agrarian, and poor-resourced communities of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Echis ocellatus (carpet viper) is responsible for most injuries and deaths in Northern Nigeria. Tissue necrosis and hemorrhage are the key features of this snake species. While bleeding can occur into virtually any tissue of the body following snakebite envenoming, sublingual hematoma (SLH) has been scarcely reported. The index patient was an adult female farmer with delayed presentation of SLH following venomous snakebite in a rural Nigerian community. Diagnostic and management challenges were encountered.