tailieunhanh - Báo cáo y học: "Unusual presentation of cactus spines in the flank of an elderly man: a case report"

Tuyển tập báo cáo các nghiên cứu khoa học quốc tế ngành y học dành cho các bạn tham khảo đề tài: Unusual presentation of cactus spines in the flank of an elderly man: a case report. | Suárez et al. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010 4 152 http content 4 1 152 jA CASE REPORTS CASE REPORT Open Access Unusual presentation of cactus spines in the flank of an elderly man a case report Andrea Suárez 1 2 Scott Freeman1 2 Lauren Puls1 2 and Robert Dellavalle 1 2 Abstract Introduction Splinters and spines of plant matter are common foreign bodies in skin wounds of the extremities and often present embedded in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Vegetative foreign bodies are highly inflammatory and if not completely removed can cause infection toxic reactions or granuloma formation. Older patients are at increased risk for infection from untreated plant foreign bodies. The most common error in plant splinter and spine management is failure to detect their presence. Case presentation Here we report a case of cactus spines in an 84-year-old Caucasian man presenting on the right flank as multiple red papules with spiny extensions. This presentation was unusual both in location and the spinous character of the lesions and only after punch biopsy analysis was a diagnosis of cactus matter spines made. Conclusions Our patient presented with an unusual case of cactus spines that required histopathology for identification. Skin lesions with neglected foreign bodies are a common cause of malpractice claims. If not removed foreign bodies of the skin particularly in elderly individuals can result in inflammatory and infectious sequela. This report underscores the importance of thoroughly evaluating penetrating skin lesions for the presence of foreign bodies such as splinters and spines. Introduction Plant splinters and spines are penetrating foreign bodies that commonly cause injury to the skin. They may be wood or thorns and often involve the skin on the extremities. These foreign bodies can release toxins histamine acetylcholine or serotonin or allergens as well as potentially introduce fungal and bacterial pathogens .