Ectopic ossification refers to the process of new bone formation in sites that normally do not ossify. The auricle is composed of elastic cartilage, and hence is a pliable structure. Auricular ossification is a rare condition that might be caused by injurious processes, including frostbite, physical trauma, and inflammation as well as processes related to metabolic or endocrine disorders. Here,...

We present a retrospective epidemiological study based on 1061 patients admitted to our burns centre in Greece over the 5-yr period from January 2002 to January 2007. Their average age was 25 yr, and 61% were female. The two main causes of burns were scalding and flames. Other significant causes were chemicals and friction. Electricity, frostbite, and contact burns were less frequent. The upper...

In ayurveda, a tradional system of medicine, aloe vera (Aloe Barbadensis) is commonly used in sunburn, minor cuts, insect bites and used as wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, laxative and in the treatment of frostbite and psoriasis. The whole plant as well as its specific parts (leaves, roots), plant extracts and its active constituent mucopolysaccharides [MPS] (long chain ...

A case of severe frostbite injury to the right foot is presented. This was caused by the inappropriate application of a bag of frozen chips to the foot in an attempt to ease non-specific pain. No specific acute traumatic injury was identified. As the patient was a teacher of physical education, the pain had initially been assumed to originate from a minor musculoskeletal injury. Full recovery e...