Stonefish envenomation--a lucky outcome.

Stonefish are one of the most intriguing examples of a perilous marine inhabitant. Equipped with a sophisticated defence mechanism, 13 dorsal spines armed with one of the most toxic fish venoms, against its natural foes, it lays perfectly camouflaged under the sand in shallow waters. Unsuspicious bypassers can be in for a deadly surprise as several fatalities, even after minor injuries, have been reported. We present an unlucky patient who sustained a single puncture wound causing her tremendous pain immediately. Surprisingly she did not develop complications after a considerable delay in receiving medical care. A review of the literature gives a brief account of pathophysiolology, complications and treatment.