A swordfish is often large and active. The bill of the swordfish can cause significant penetrating trauma and even death.
Situations where penetrating injuries may occur:
(1) fisherman catching or handling a swordfish (most common)
(2) attack by a swordfish, sometimes in response to a light at night
(3) use of a swordfish bill as a weapon
Penetrating trauma may involve:
(1) head and neck
(2) chest
(3) abdomen
(4) spine with the potential for permanent hemiparesis
(5) extremity
(6) vascular damage with hemorrhage
A portion of the bill may break off in the wound, resulting in a foreign body that may become infected. This may not be evident on routine X-ray but can be located by CT scan or MRI.
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