Hand infections secondary to catfish spines: case reports and literature review.
Catfish are one of the few freshwater fishes known to be venomous. Although "finning" of the hand is a frequent injury incurred by catfish anglers that results in intense pain, it rarely results in any long-term sequelae. We present three cases in which acute soft-tissue infections developed, necessitating ray amputations in two patients. The unique habitat and anatomy of the catfish are described and preventive and therapeutic measures are discussed.
Baack
B R
BR
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9230.
Kucan
J O
JO
Zook
E G
EG
Russell
R C
RC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002397:Catfishes; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery; D005400:Fishes, Poisonous; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology