[Jellyfish poisoning].

While bathing in the Indian Ocean a 31-year-old German woman came into contact with a jelly-fish, probably of the species Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Initial signs were inflammatory cutaneous changes on the upper trunk, and both arms and feet. Over the next few days massive edematous swelling developed over the trunk, in addition to signs of arterial underperfusion in the hands and legs. Under treatment with urokinase and prostaglandin E1 the circulatory disorder in the feet completely disappeared. But the edema on the arms and hands got worse and huge bullae developed. On the assumption of a compartment syndrome a bilateral fasciotomy was performed. Wound healing proceeded normally. However, even after six months there remained extensive sensory and motor defects in both hands and arms.