title: Gila monster bite.
abstract: A 29-year-old man was bitten on the forearm by a wild Gila monster. Radiographs demonstrated subcutaneous air. During a period of observation, erythema and edema progressed from the forearm to the axilla and he developed a significant leukocytosis. No purulence was found upon surgical evaluation. We hypothesize that air was introduced into the wound by the "pulsing," chewing-like action that the Gila monster made while it was attached to the man's forearm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Toxicology, Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, USA. robert.french@bannerhealth.com
authors.forename: Robert N E
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D014688:Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D014688:Venoms