Full thickness burn caused by exposure to giant hogweed: delayed presentation, histological features and surgical management.
We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with a full thickness chemical burn on his right pretibial area due to phytophotodermatitis (PPD) following contact with giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Although cutaneous burns due to plants are a well-established cause of chemical burn, previous reports described partial thickness burns that healed with conservative measures. This patient presented to our unit two weeks after the initial injury with an established full thickness burn. Debridement and split thickness skin grafting was required. We presented the histological features of the debrided skin specimen and discussed potential factors leading to this unexpected full thickness injury.
Chan
Jeffrey C Y
JC
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland. chancy@eircom.net
Sullivan
Paul J
PJ
O'Sullivan
Maureen J
MJ
Eadie
Patricia A
PA
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D017484:Dermatitis, Phototoxic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000009:adverse effects; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology