Treating deep-seated mycobacterium marinum infection in the hand: a report of three cases.
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.
Rajesh
Garg
G
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Foot Division, University Of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. drgarg@rediffmail.com
Ip
Wing-Yuk
WY
Chow
S P
SP
Fung
Boris Kwok-Keung
BK
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