J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2010 Dec;21(6):910-912.

Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hematoma due to Vascular Injury Following Korean Viper Bite

• Jeong TO

Abstract

Various hematologic and vascular complications from snakebites have been reported in the literature. Spontaneous bleeding causing hematoma, however, is not a common complication of snakebites. Here we report a case of spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma in which a 72-year-old male visited the emergency department with sudden-onset left flank pain and dizziness. Computed tomography (CT) revealed high-attenuation fluid collection in the retroperitoneum and contrast extravasation. Conservative treatment was continued and he was discharged without any complications after 7 days.

Keyword

Snake bites; Hematoma; Retroperitoneal space

MeSH Terms

Aged
Bites and Stings
Dizziness
Emergencies
Flank Pain
Hematoma
Hemorrhage
Humans
Male
Retroperitoneal Space
Snake Bites
Vascular System Injuries