Snake envenomation: An unusual cause of  hypopituitarism

Suresh P RAJASEKARAN, Senthil KUMAR. R, Vijayalakshmi BALACHANDRAN

Department of Endocrinology, PSG Institute Of Medical Sciences and Research, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT

Snake bites are very frequent in India especially in rural areas. Cobra and viper bites can cause neurotoxicity and haemotoxicity respectively in humans. Viper bite causes acute hemorrhagic manifestations and rarely causes acute or chronic hypopituitarism. Hypopituitarism can be partial or complete, deficient of one or more pituitary hormones. This case report highlights the importance of identifying hypopituitarism due to snake bite as it can be a delayed manifestation.

Keywords: Hypopituitarism, hyponatraemia, snake bite

Correspondence author: Suresh RAJASEKARAN. PSG hospitals, Peelamedu Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

0422-2570170 -5354. E mail: Docsuresh1974@yahoo.co.in

Brunei Int Med J. 2014; 10 (6): 334-337