Annals of emergency medicine
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Garter snake bites are generally innocuous to human beings. We report a case of human envenomation from the Wandering Garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans). The patient, who was bitten on his right third fingertip, rapidly developed local edema, ecchymosis, and hemorrhagic vesicles. ⋯ The clinical picture was similar to that in three previous patients with Thamnophis envenomation in that clinical signs followed a prolonged bite. Thamnophis species have Duvernoy's glands, which may be analogous to venom glands in Crotalidae (pit viper) species. The progressive local effects produced by secretions of these glands may be confused with early Crotalidae envenomation.
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Presented is the case report of a toddler who suffered delayed-onset paraplegia after a motor vehicle accident. An improperly used adult lap belt is postulated as the etiology causing a probable vascular event with ischemic injury to the distal cord; however, recurrent cord injury from presumed occult spinal instability was a possible explanation. This case highlights that the syndrome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality can present subtly (in this case, foot "pain"), that full neurologic manifestations can be delayed, and that good neurologic recovery is possible.