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Published:
Jun 29, 2010Keywords:
Gangrene traditional medicine complications nephrotic syndrome gangrene of digits multiple digit.
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Multiple Digital Gangrene arising from Traditional Therapy: A case report
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traditional medicine has being advocated as an alternative to Orthodox medicine in Nigeria despite, its reported adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual complication of traditional therapy. METHODS: A 20-year-old house-wife who was bitten by a crawling insect presented to a hospital with complaints of swollen body and pain in three digits. After clinical evaluation and
investigations, she had both medical and surgical intervention.
RESULTS: Two weeks following an insect bite, the patient noticed
periorbital and bilateral leg swellings. She sought help from a traditional medicine practitioner who incised and tied the affected digits for three days. He repeated the cycle thrice. She had generalized oedema, massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, hypercholesterolaemia features consistent with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. There was gangrene of the left middle finger and both index toes. Oedema responded to diuretics, lisinopril and low salt diet. She had surgery for the gangrenous digits. CONCLUSION: Development of gangrene is an unusual finding in nephrotic syndrome. It occurred in this case as an aftermath of traditional medical intervention. This report reiterates the
danger of this form of medical practice and the need for measures to protect the populace to be put in place. WAJM 2009; 28(3): 189–191.
investigations, she had both medical and surgical intervention.
RESULTS: Two weeks following an insect bite, the patient noticed
periorbital and bilateral leg swellings. She sought help from a traditional medicine practitioner who incised and tied the affected digits for three days. He repeated the cycle thrice. She had generalized oedema, massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, hypercholesterolaemia features consistent with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. There was gangrene of the left middle finger and both index toes. Oedema responded to diuretics, lisinopril and low salt diet. She had surgery for the gangrenous digits. CONCLUSION: Development of gangrene is an unusual finding in nephrotic syndrome. It occurred in this case as an aftermath of traditional medical intervention. This report reiterates the
danger of this form of medical practice and the need for measures to protect the populace to be put in place. WAJM 2009; 28(3): 189–191.
