Beyond the venom: Unmasking leukoencephalopathy in snakebite envenomation

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation remains a significant public health challenge in India, yet central nervous system complications such as leukoencephalopathy are exceptionally rare. This report describes a 24-year-old farmer who presented with rapidly progressive neurological deterioration over 12 h following a snakebite. Despite standard treatment, persistent neurological deficits prompted neuroimaging, which revealed leukoencephalopathy. Comprehensive treatment involving mechanical ventilation, polyvalent anti-snake venom, corticosteroids, and neuroprotective agents facilitated a gradual recovery from an initial akinetic-mute state to functional independence. This case underscores the critical importance of early neuroimaging in unexplained acute neurological presentations within endemic regions to ensure accurate diagnosis and prompt, targeted therapy.