Sea-urchin envenomation and near-drowning in a snorkel diver case report

Author: 
Urbina Velázquez Marco Antonio. MD Patricia Galindo López M.D.

Sea urchin belongs to the echinoderm family, with globular or flat, calcified spines covered bodies. There are more than 1000 species of sea-urchins and about 80 poisonous potentially to human. Sea-urchin poisoning symptoms comprise systemic and local effects such as severe pain, syncope, respiratory distress and paralysis. We report a snorkel diver case with near-drowning accident and sea-urchin stung. He was evacuated to our hospital, required mechanical ventilation support and renal replacement therapy due to his rapidly deteriorating conditions, until the sea-urchin spines removal. He had a full recovery and was discharged two weeks after the accident.

Paper No: 
4084