Sea urchin granuloma

Abstract

SUMMARYInjuries caused by venomous and poisonous aquatic animals may provoke important morbidity in humans. The phylum Echinoderma include more than 6000 species of starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers some of which have been found responsible for injuries to humans. Initial injuries by sea urchins are associated with trauma and envenomation, but later effects can be observed. Sea urchin granuloma is a chronic granulomatous skin disease caused by frequent and successive penetration of sea urchin spines which have not been removed from wounds. The authors report a typical case of sea urchin granuloma in a fisherman and its therapeutic implications.

Observation of initial clinical manifestations and repercussions from the treatment of 314 human injuries caused by black sea urchins (Echinometra lucunter) on the southeastern Brazilian coast

“…We can observe delayed complications such as granuloma formation 6,7 , chronic arthropathy, persistent neuropathy, local bone destruction, and vesicle formation 8 . The possible granulomatous reaction mechanism is due to foreign body reactions to various inorganic substances contained in the spines (calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium sulphate, phosphates, and siliceous dioxide) 6,7 .…”

“…The possible granulomatous reaction mechanism is due to foreign body reactions to various inorganic substances contained in the spines (calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium sulphate, phosphates, and siliceous dioxide) 6,7 . Lesions are pink to blue papules and consist of 2-5mm nodules that later become brown.…”

“…Oedema is a different process associated with plasma or water in the skin and can be observed in inflammatory diseases or after trauma. Hyperkeratosis is common 7 .…”

“…Extraction is not easy but is necessary, because retained fragments can trigger infections and granulomatous nodules that can only be resolved by surgery. These guidelines are based on previous works showing a direct relationship between inflammation (including granulomas) and spines remaining in the skin [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] .…”

Miscellaneous Marine Toxins of Medical Significance

“…Pain is the more important symptom. The persistence of spines in the plantar region can provoke secondary infections and foreign-body granulomas (Cracchiolo and Goldberg 1977;Mcwilliam et al 1991;Liram et al 2000;Rossetto et al 2006). (1.b) Mechanisms of envenomation: Sea urchins exhibit hollow spikes of calcium carbonate on their surfaces, which can cause serious trauma (Fig.…”