Sea Urchin Granuloma

Abstract

Sea urchin granuloma is a chronic focal response to the puncture of sea urchin spines, induced by the permanence of prickle remnants in the wound. Until recent years, it was thought to represent a foreign body reaction but, following the description, in 2001, of its several histologic forms, the spectrum of its likely pathogenetic mechanisms has widened to include the immune responses to different non-self antigens. Depending on individual reactivity, in most cases, a limited number of granulomas is observed, however numerous the punctures may be. We report a case with more than 200 lesions and a tuberculoid histologic pattern, indicative of an immune reaction.