Clinical Considerations in Initial Evaluation and Treatment of Hardhead Catfish Spine Puncture Wounds

Abstract

A 17-year-old male presented to our ED complaining of pain and swelling at the base of the first metacarpal after attempting to remove a catfish from his fishing line 12 hours prior to arrival. Radiographic images demonstrated a foreign body (FB), which was detectable by ultrasound. Hand surgery was consulted and took the patient to the operating room for exploration and removal of two serrated radiopaque catfish spines that were deeply embedded in the left thumb. Conclusion. Penetrating injury from hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis) spines can cause hidden FB, envenomation, infection, and secondary damage to nearby structures. Imaging should be done for these patients to ensure they obtain timely and complete extraction of the venomous structures. Surgery should be consulted for operative management to avoid damage on removal of the catfish spine remnants.

First record of the West Atlantic Ariopsis felis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Ariidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

“…Generally, A. felis is known to show a longevity extending over 20 years, exhibiting large oocytes and low fecundity and males which incubate eggs and juveniles in their mouths (Acero, 2002;Pensinger et al, 2021). The sharp dorsal and pectoral fin spines can inflict painful wounds (Gordon et al, 2021). The hardhead sea catfishes are not com-mercially or recreationally targeted fishes in their natural range (Pensinger et al, 2021), and are difficult to keep in ordinary aquaria (https://saltwater.aqua-fish.net/?hardhead-sea-catfish).…”