Snake bites are an uncommon injury requiring intervention by hand surgeons. While
counteracting the effects of snake venom is the initial and urgent concern following
a bite, infection caused by retention of a foreign body can present in a delayed fashion
and may lead to increased morbidity. Standard radiographs of the injury should be
carefully examined for foreign bodies, noting that retained snake teeth are somewhat
radiolucent due to less mineralization as compared to bone and can be difficult to
visualize. In our subject, a retained rattlesnake fang was found in association with
a septic interphalangeal joint despite appropriate radiographic evaluation and thorough
surgical irrigation and debridement upon initial presentation. This case report highlights
a potential complication of snake bites, the importance of aggressive management,
and the importance of increased suspicion for retained foreign bodies. Augmenting
plain radiographs with additional imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, dark-field,
and phase-contrast imaging, may aid in the diagnosis of retained foreign bodies after
snake bites.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 25, 2021
Accepted:
April 8,
2021
Received:
October 12,
2020
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official views or policy of the Department of Defense or its Components.
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© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
