Hot water immersion as a treatment for stonefish sting: A case report

The North Borneo state of Sabah is known worldwide for its beautiful islands and dive sites. Local hospitals deal with a number of marine-related injuries, including marine fauna envenomation by Scorpaenidae and Synanceiidae families of fish. We report a case of a tourist who presented with excruciating pain on her right foot after stepping on a stonefish. Despite being given parenteral analgesia and regional anaesthesia, the pain persisted. Her pain improved after she soaked her foot in hot water for about 30 minutes. No further treatment was required. We reviewed the literature comparing this inexpensive mode of treatment with other conventional treatments. We also explored the possibility of using hot water immersion for treatment of envenomation by other types of marine animals.

Fournier's gangrene in a three month old child

Fournier's gangrene is a progressive infection of the genital and peri-anal regions. It is a urological emergency. Testicular and penile loss, septic shock, multi-organ failure, and death are known complications. The incidence of Fournier's gangrene and its complications is very rare in infants. We report a case of an infant who presented with sepsis secondary to scrotal infection. The event was preceded by auto amputation of scrotal skin following Fournier's gangrene. The history was suggestive that the responsible organism was rubeola. The wound was later contaminated by Proteus vulgaris. A description of his presentation and management is given