Mycobacterium chelonae tenosynovitis of the hand.
OBJECTIVE
Tenosynovitis of the hand due to atypical mycobacteria is an uncommon condition. We present a case of tenosynovitis of the hand due to Mycobacterium chelonae in a patient without a recognized penetrating injury, who was treated successfully with clarithromycin and antituberculous medications and without debridement. We reviewed the available literature to summarize the experience with this infectious entity.


METHODS
Case report and review of the literature (MEDLINE 1976-2003). Only cases that were sufficiently detailed were included.


RESULTS
Twelve cases of upper extremity infection due to M. chelonae have been reported: hand tenosynovitis in most and arthritis in a few. These infections resulted from percutaneous inoculation or hematogenous seeding. The clinical course was indolent initially but insidiously destructive. Previously, treatment always included surgical excision of the infected tissues and antibiotic therapy. This is the first case of M. chelonae musculoskeletal infection that resolved with only antimicrobial therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Musculoskeletal infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria are clinically indistinguishable from those of tuberculosis and diagnosis is usually delayed. Prompt diagnosis of atypical mycobacteria with appropriate antimicrobial treatment may avoid the need for surgical debridement. Relevance We recommend a trial of antibiotics for M. chelonae before surgical debridement.
Mateo
Lourdes
L
Rheumatology Unit, CAP Just Oliveras, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Rufí
Gabriel
G
Nolla
Joan M
JM
Alcaide
Fernando
F
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin