Acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is a fulminant inflammatory disease of cerebral white matter, characterised by demyelination and haemorrhagic necrosis. The outcome is usually fatal with only few survivors.
An unusual presentation of a 44–year-old South Indian farmer who developed AHL following a snake bite is reported. Though the initial brain imaging showed extensive involvement of the white matter with multiple haemorrhagic foci, the patient improved spontaneously with no specific therapy. A repeat magnetic resonance imaging of the brain 28 days after the snake bite confirmed radiological improvement.
BamberyPMalhotraHSChughKSClinical problems of snake bite in India. In: TuAT (ed). Toxin related diseases, New Delhi: IBH, 1993, pp. 425–449.
2.
MalhotraP. Fatal acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following treated snake bite in India. Emerg Med J2005; 22: 308–309.
3.
HurstEW. Acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis: a previously undefined entity. Med J Aust1941; 28: 1–6.
4.
AnSFGrovesMMartinianLKuoLTScaravilliF. Detection of infectious agents in brain of patients with acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. J Neurovirol2002; 8: 439–446.
5.
MarkusR. Successful outcome with aggressive treatment of acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry1991; 63: 551–551.
