2009 R. W. Johnson, British journalist and historian, contracted the disease in March after injuring his foot while swimming. His leg was amputated above the knee. 2011 Jeff Hanneman, guitarist for the thrash metal band Slayer, contracted the disease. He died of liver failure two years later, on May 2, 2013, and it was speculated that his infection was the cause of death. However, on May 9, 2013, the official cause of death was announced as alcohol-related cirrhosis. Hanneman and his family had apparently been unaware of the extent of the condition until shortly before his death. 2011 Peter Watts, Canadian science-fiction author, contracted the disease. On his blog, Watts reported, "Im told I was a few hours away from being dead...If there was ever a disease fit for a science-fiction writer, flesh-eating disease has got to be it. This...spread across my leg as fast as a Star Trek space disease in time-lapse." 2014 Daniel Gildenlöw, Swedish singer and songwriter for the band Pain of Salvation, spent several months in a hospital after being diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis on his back in early 2014. After recovering, he wrote the album In the Passing Light of Day, a concept album about his experience during the hospitalization. 2015 Edgar Savisaar, Estonian politician, had his right leg amputated. He got the disease during a trip to Thailand. 2018 Alex Smith, an American football quarterback for the Washington Football Team of the National Football League (NFL), contracted the disease after being injured during a game.
Diagnosis
Umbilical granuloma can be diagnosed from physical examination. If there is a discharge around the navel and the granulation tissue is large enough to be visible with the open eye, umbilical granuloma is the first to be suspected. Open eye inspection and/or dermoscopy is commonly used to recognize the granular tissue at the site. If the granuloma is not visible with the open eye, gentle pressure on the surrounding site or a surgical tweezer can be used to expose the small granuloma hidden within the umbilical pit. An otoscope may also be used by physicians in order to expose a small, sessile granuloma. Other additional tests are usually not required, but if continued, ultrasonography (US) can be used for initial diagnosis of umbilical lesions. Treatment
Topical
Although there is no singular method of treatment for umbilical granulomas, some treatment options available include common salt, silver nitrate, corticosteroids, and cleaning with alcohol. Home care following treatments include gentle cleaning the navel area with soap and sterile water, followed by open exposure of the belly button to air. Silver nitrate
Silver nitrate is the most common treatment and practiced worldwide. Neonatology textbooks suggest silver nitrate as a first-line treatment option. The application of silver nitrate to granulomas was first noted in early 1800s as a cauterizing agent.Silver nitrate can be used as an antiseptic, an astringent, and as a caustic agent, depending on the indication. Its application requires medical personnel for treatment and may have unfavorable adverse effects if applied improperly.