Citation

Luherne C, Luth T, Oehler E. Ann. Dermatol. Venereol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Vernacular Title

Piqûre de raie pastenague : un cas en Polynésie française.

Affiliation

Service de médecine interne et polyvalente, centre hospitalier de Polynésie française, 98713 Pirae, Tahiti, Polynésie française. Electronic address: erwan.oehler@cht.pf.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Masson Editeur)

DOI

10.1016/j.annder.2019.10.021

PMID

31813594

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Stingray injuries occur when people inadvertently step on these fish. Penetration of the barb results in puncture and/or laceration wounds and lesions related to the venom.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of a 76-year-old woman in French Polynesia who was stung on her right ankle by a stingray. She initially had a hypertensive episode with encephalopathy and a haemorrhagic wound due to an indwelling fragment of the barb. Necrosis due to the poison required medical-surgical management with debridement, which yielded a favourable outcome.

DISCUSSION: Stingray injuries are rare and not well-known by doctors. They can be serious due to injury by the barb and to venom poisoning, leading to enzymatic tissue destruction, ischaemia and intense pain. The initial treatment consists in immersion in hot water, as the venom is thermolabile; antibiotics and surgery may be necessary, depending on the condition of the wound.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Language: fr

Keywords

Envenimation; French Polynesia; Injury; Piqûre; Polynésie française; Raie pastenague; Stingray; Venom poisoning