Centruroides sculpturatus envenomation in three adult patients requiring treatment with antivenom.

CONTEXT: Envenomation by Centruroides sculpturatus can manifest with cranial nerve dysfunction and neuromuscular hyperactivity. While these symptoms are most commonly seen in young children, they may also be seen in adults.

CASE DETAILS: Three cases of adult patients are presented with grades III & IV scorpion envenomation. They reported symptoms including disconjugate, roving eye movements, and motor involvement. Also reported were hyposmia, difficulty with fine motor movements, and dysgeusia. All were first treated with benzodiazepines with little to no effect. They then received a three vial antivenom bolus with resolution of severe symptoms within 30-60 min.

DISCUSSION: Severe Centruroides envenomation can occur in adults as well as children. These three cases demonstrate the usefulness, safety, and effectiveness of antivenom therapy to quickly relieve symptoms in adult patients with grades III & IV envenomations.