Surgical Implications of Preoperative Sonographic Localization of Sea Urchin Spine Foreign Bodies

Strickland, C.; Auckland, Amanda K.; Payne, William T.

doi:10.7863/ultra.33.1.181

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This is because the investigator reported that the embedded sea urchin spines were detected on plain or standard radiographs, though they were very faint. In cases such as these, radiographs with 'soft tissue windows' or with the capacity of other digital enhancements, or ultrasonography, are the next steps in the diagnostic imaging workup of sea urchin injuries [10,[28][29][30][31][32]. Computed tomography (CT) scanning in cases of deeply embedded spines can be more useful than plain radiography and is also superior to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for detecting embedded sea urchin spines [10].…”

Section: Chemical Composition and Detection In Clinical Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea Urchin Spine Embedded in the Sole of the Foot: Eight-Year Radiographic Follow-Up Without Removal

Skedros,

Richards

et al. 2024

Cureus

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When sea urchin puncture injuries occur during coastal recreation or work activities, they often affect extremities, such as hands and feet. There is a plethora of information on treatments for these puncture injuries, with the most common among medical professionals being the removal of all partially embedded spines and the removal of as many fully embedded spines as possible. When the spines are deeply embedded and/or fragmented, they might not be removed, especially when they are not located in critical areas such as tendons or joints. This reflects the generally held notion that smaller spines and spine fragments will eventually dissolve or be absorbed. Here we report an unusual case where the tip of a sea urchin spine became embedded in the soft tissue of the sole of the foot of a 21-year-old male after he stepped on one after falling off a kayak off the coast of Oahu, Hawai’i. The deeply embedded spine was not removed. By three weeks after the injury, the patient did not have any symptoms, and eight years later, he was still symptom-free. Radiographs taken one year after the injury showed that the spine had fragmented into two pieces. The smaller piece was about 15% of the size of the original embedded spine, and it had apparently been absorbed (it was not seen on final radiographs eight years later). Analysis of radiographs eight years after the injury showed that the main or large spine fragment was still distinctly detectable in the soft tissue; there was no visible evidence that it had undergone significant absorption or migrated from the original location. The absence of any obvious radiographic rarefaction over eight years is contrary to the lore that sea urchin spines that remain in human soft tissue will exhibit significant, or complete, absorption or dissolution over months to a few years.

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Section: Chemical Composition and Detection In Clinical Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sea Urchin Spine Embedded in the Sole of the Foot: Eight-Year Radiographic Follow-Up Without Removal

Skedros,

Richards

et al. 2024

Cureus

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“…Impending compartment syndrome and acute carpal tunnel syndrome after a stonefish envenomization have been reported. 40,41 Reports of systemic symptoms from scorpaenid envenomization are rare but can include hypotension, myotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and even death in very rare cases. 39 Skin manifestation of envenomization occurs in three grades of severity, with grade 1 being erythema, grade 2 including bullae formation, and grade 3 being necrotic ulceration at the puncture site.…”

Section: Stonefish Scorpionfish and Lionfishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic Orthopaedic Injuries

Brophy

Bernholt

2019

J Am Acad Orthop Surg

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Extremity injuries sustained in aquatic environments require unique considerations compared with injuries sustained on land. Knowledge of these considerations is becoming more important as aquatic recreational activities increase in popularity. Aquatic injuries may occur through mechanical contact with a variety of different objects or surfaces, such as a recreational device or watercraft part, or may occur through contact with marine animals. Marine animal injuries can be further categorized into bites, stings, or blunt contact, as well as venomous or nonvenomous, distinctions that should be used to guide clinical management. Numerous instances of retained foreign bodies after marine animal stings exist, which can result in infection and prolonged envenomization; thus, radiographic examination should be routinely performed in aquatic sting injuries to prevent these harmful sequelae. Any aquatic injury resulting in an open wound has an increased risk for infection, and prophylactic antibiotics must be given with consideration for the unique microbiologic flora of the aquatic environment.

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