Phalangeal Tuberculosis After Mallet Finger Treatment: A Case Report

Skeletal involvements are less reported in tuberculosis and even less likely observed in fingers. Fingers are rarely involved in adults and it often has been reported in children under 5 years old. Most likely, a recent condition in adult patients is required to provoke reactivation of bacilli lodged in the bone during the original mycobacteremia of primary infection.
In this report, a 31 - year - old female patient, suffered from detached extensor tendon due to the fourth finger trauma, was diagnosed as a Mallet finger and treated by closed percutaneous pining is introduced. The patient had chronic swelling and progressive pain in the same finger for six months after treatment. The common anti - inflammatory and antibiotic therapy was not successful. Radiographic images of the ring finger demonstrated erosion and irregularity of the articular surfaces around the distal interphalangeal join (DIP). She expressed a history of untreated cough and exposure to people with tuberculosis. A positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test was determined with more than 10mm induration. Treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication regimen was successful and continued for 12 months.
Skeletal tuberculosis should always be considered by physicians in endemic areas. A slow progression of the disease in skeletal involvement and lack of clinical suspicion can lead to misdiagnosis. Using anti - tuberclusis medications for an appropriate period is effective in the disease control and treatment of patients.