Scorpion

Aka: Scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, Arizona Bark Scorpion

II. Mechanism

  1. Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) venom is a Neurotoxin
  2. Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is also a Neurotoxin, but less harmful than sculpturatus
  3. Other Scorpions cause only local reactions
  4. Envenomation is via the tip of the Scorpion tail

III. Types

  1. Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)
    1. Yellow to brown Scorpions
    2. Subnuclear tooth at the base of the Stinger
    3. Much more potentially dangerous than the Striped Bark Scorpion
  2. Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus)
    1. Black stripes on thorax

IV. Symptoms

  1. Immediate burning pain at site of sting
  2. Local or regional hyperesthesia for varying period

V. Signs

  1. Local reaction (Scorpion other than C. sculpturatus)
    1. Erythema
    2. Edema
    3. Ecchymosis
  2. Tap test (Suggests C. sculpturatus sting)
    1. Administer sharp tap at wound site
    2. Positive
      1. Patient experiences significant pain
      2. Abruptly withdraws wound site
  3. Centruroides sculpturatus reaction
    1. Muscle spasm
    2. Excessive Salivation
    3. Fever
    4. Tachycardia
    5. Nystagmus
    6. Blurred Vision
    7. Slurred speech
    8. Respiratory distress or Wheezing
    9. CNS hyperstimulation
    10. Seizures

VI. Exam

  1. Sting site evaluation
  2. Thorough Neurologic Exam including Cranial Nerve exam

VII. Grading: Envenomation

  1. Grade 1
    1. Pain and Paresthesias at localized site of sting
  2. Grade 2
    1. Pain and Paresthesias at remote site from bite (as well as meeting Grade 1 Criteria)
  3. Grade 3
    1. Meets criteria for Grade 2 sting AND
    2. ONE of the following neurologic criteria
      1. Cranial Nerve Involvement (e.g. Nystagmus, Dysarthria, Dysphagia, Drooling)
      2. Skeletal neuromuscular involvement (e.g. writhing, fasciculations, jerking, Tetany)
      3. Autonomic signs (Salivation, Vomiting, bronchospasm, diaphoresis, Tachycardia)
  4. Grade 4
    1. All findings of Grade 3 Envenomation are present

VIII. Labs: Grade III and IV Envenomations

  1. Complete Blood Count
  2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
  3. Creatine Kinase
  4. Urinalysis

IX. Course: Centruroides sculpturatus

  1. Infants <1 years: Fatal reactions are not uncommon
  2. Child <5 years: Potentially life threatening reactions
  3. Adults: Variable reactions but rarely fatal

X. Management

  1. Immediate medical attention for children
  2. Try to identify the Scorpion type that caused the bite
  3. Consult poison control
  4. Tetanus Vaccine as needed
  5. Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) Antivenom
    1. Indicated for Grade III or Grade 4 Envenomations
    2. Reduces length of severity of symptoms
    3. Antivenom is a risk for Anaphylaxis
  6. Observe closely
    1. ABC Management
      1. Respiratory depression
      2. Adequate ventilation
    2. CNS Hyperstimulation
    3. Seizures
  7. First aid measures
    1. Ice or cool compress to wound site
    2. Elevation of affected part
    3. Tourniquets are not recommended for the affected, stung limb
  8. Symptomatic therapy
    1. Antihistamines
    2. Corticosteroids
    3. Analgesics (Opioids are often needed)
      1. Avoid Morphine if antivenom planned (increases histamine release with risk of Anaphylaxis)

XI. References

  1. Cowling and Ferreri (2019) Crit Dec Emerg Med 33(2): 17-25

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Related Studies

Ontology: Scorpions (C0036451)

Definition (MSH) Arthropods of the order Scorpiones, of which 1500 to 2000 species have been described. The most common live in tropical or subtropical areas. They are nocturnal and feed principally on insects and other arthropods. They are large arachnids but do not attack man spontaneously. They have a venomous sting. Their medical significance varies considerably and is dependent on their habits and venom potency rather than on their size. At most, the sting is equivalent to that of a hornet but certain species possess a highly toxic venom potentially fatal to humans. (From Dorland, 27th ed; Smith, Insects and Other Arthropods of Medical Importance, 1973, p417; Barnes, Invertebrate Zoology, 5th ed, p503)
Concepts Eukaryote (T204)
MSH D012605
SnomedCT 106864000, 68483004
English Scorpions, Scorpion, Order Scorpionida, Scorpionida, Order scorpionida (organism), Order scorpionida, Order Scorpiones (organism), Order Scorpiones, Order Scorpionida (organism), scorpion, scorpions, Scorpiones, Scorpion (organism), Subclass: Scorpiones, True scorpion, Scorpion, NOS
French Scorpions, Scorpio
Swedish Skorpioner
Czech štíři
Finnish Skorpionit
Russian SKORPIONY, СКОРПИОНЫ
Spanish orden scorpionida (organismo), orden Scorpionida, Scorpionida, orden scorpionida, orden Scorpiones, orden Scorpiones (organismo), orden Scorpionida (organismo), escorpión (organismo), escorpión, Scorpiones, escorpión verdadero, subclase: Scorpiones, Escorpiones
Polish Skorpiony
Norwegian Skorpioner
Portuguese Scorpiones, Escorpiões
German Skorpione
Italian Scorpioni
Dutch Schorpioen, Schorpioenen
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Centruroides sculpturatus (C0323793)

Concepts Eukaryote (T204)
SnomedCT 52244005
English Centruroides sculpturatus, Centruroides sculptuatus, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing, 1928, Centruroides sculpturatus (organism)
Spanish Centruroides sculpturatus, Centruroides sculpturatus (organismo)
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Dermatology

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