Link K W, Counselman F L, Steele J, Caughey M
Department of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Emergency Physicians of Tidewater, Norfolk 23507, USA.
J Emerg Med. 1999 Mar-Apr;17(2):255-9. doi: 10.1016/s0736-4679(98)00164-4.
Marine-related injuries and envenomations are common to the coastal physician. Needlefish injuries, which occur almost exclusively in the Indo-Pacific region, have not previously been reported along the Atlantic seaboard. This case report describes a penetrating injury to the lower extremity from a needlefish. Treatment is guided by general resuscitative procedures as well as antibiotic therapy directed against infections unique to the marine environment.