A case of a Japanese copperhead snakebite of the tongue with life-threatening airway obstruction

Abstract

We describe a rare case of a Japanese copperhead snakebite of the tongue in a 70-year-old woman. The venom of the snake caused life-threatning obstruction of the upper airway, accompanied by massive edema of the tongue and peripherial tissues. Nasotracheal intubation, intravenous infusion, and diuresis resulted in complete recovery without sequelae. Japanese copperhead snakebites of the tongue with airway obstruction are very rare and unusual.