title: Treating deep-seated mycobacterium marinum infection in the hand: a report of three cases.
abstract: We report three cases of an unusual aggressive type of Mycobacterium marinum infection of the hand which had been a nightmare both for us and the patient. These were the patients in which even after repeated thorough surgical debridement and appropriate (drug sensitive) medical treatment over a period had resulted in amputation or devastation of the soft tissues so extensively that almost only the neurovascular bundle, bone and the skin were the only structures left (cosmetic fingers - no function) at the last debridement after which the infection has not recurred. By presenting this article we want to stress on certain points pertaining to diagnosis, management, varied presentation and of course the dreadful complications of deep-seated M. marinum infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Foot Division, University Of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. drgarg@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Garg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.forename: Wing-Yuk
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Boris Kwok-Keung
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Fung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019910:Mycobacterium marinum