title: Aquatic antagonists: cutaneous sea urchin spine injury.
abstract: Injuries from sea urchin spines are commonly seen in coastal regions with high levels of participation in water activities. Although these injuries may seem minor, the consequences vary based on the location of the injury. Sea urchin spine injuries may cause arthritis and synovitis from spines in the joints. Nonjoint injuries have been reported, and dermatologic aspects of sea urchin spine injuries rarely have been discussed. We present a case of a patient with sea urchin spines embedded in the thigh who subsequently developed painful skin nodules. Tissue from the site of the injury demonstrated foreign-body type granulomas. Following the removal of the spines and granulomatous tissue, the patient experienced resolution of the nodules and associated pain. Extraction of sea urchin spines can attenuate the pain and decrease the likelihood of granuloma formation, infection, and long-term sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Erica R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Arlene M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ruiz de Luzuriaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012617:Sea Urchins; D013848:Thigh