Workup
Laboratory Studies
No assay is available for the clinical detection of funnel-web spider venom.
Perform laboratory studies to assess the effects of envenomation or in consideration of differential diagnoses and coexistent conditions.
Obtain arterial blood gas measurements, serum electrolyte levels, and creatinine clearance to assess for hypoxia, acidosis, hyperglycemia, and renal impairment.
Measure serum glucose level in any patient with altered mental status to exclude hypoglycemia.
Elevated serum creatine kinase can indicate rhabdomyolysis and should be measured.
CBC count results may demonstrate hemoconcentration, and coagulation studies may demonstrate a coagulopathy.
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Media Gallery
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The Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus. Male (left) and female (right). Photograph courtesy of the Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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Female funnel-web spider. Image courtesy of Glenn DuBois, CEO, http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html.
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Male funnel-web spider. Image courtesy of Glenn DuBois, CEO, http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html.
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