LOCAL EDEMA AND HEMORRHAGE CAUSED BY Crotalus durissus terrificus ENVENOMING EVALUATED BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

M. G. FONSECA(1), M. R. C. MATHIAS(2), S. Yamashita(3), J. Morceli(3), B. Barraviera(3,4)

(1)Faculdade do Norte Paulista, Bebedouro, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2)Magnetic Resonance Unit, University Hospital, Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP; (3)Department of Tropical Diseases and Imaging Diagnosis, Botucatu School of Medicine - UNESP, São Paulo State, Brazil; (4)Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals-CEVAP-UNESP, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to detect the presence of local edema and hemorrhage caused by Crotalus durissus terrificus envenoming using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Six patients bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes were treated at the Emergency Unit and Tropical Diseases Unit of Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP, São Paulo State, Brazil. After receiving specific serotherapy, the patients were submitted to MR of the bite site. Post contrast T1 and T2 spin-echo MRI were obtained revealing the following lesions: edema associated with hemorrhage in subcutaneous and muscular tissue (n=3), edema in subcutaneous tissue (n=2), and perimuscular hemorrhage (n=1). In this study, MR demonstrated a local effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus envenoming in inducing edema and hemorrhage, mainly in muscular tissues and perimuscular areas. These results indicate that Crotalus durissus terrificus venom cause a local muscular tissue damage in human envenoming represented by edema and hemorrhage.

KEY WORDS: Crotalus durissus terrificus, muscular damage, edema, hemorrhage, magnetic resonance.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

M. G. Fonseca - Rua: Bartolomeu Bueno Filho, no. 405, 15060-230, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.  Email marilucefonseca@hotmail.com