Tuberculous flexor tenosynovitis around the wrist causing massive tendon disruption: a case report

Abstract

Tuberculous tenosynovitis is extremely infrequent as compared with other types of tuberculous infection. We report the case of an 83-year-old woman who presented with a 10-month indolent course of tuberculous flexor tenosynovitis around the wrist. A surgical tenosynovectomy was performed and it was found that all the flexor tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel were disrupted. Such massive tendon disruption due to tuberculous tenosynovitis has not been reported previously. Anti-tuberculosis therapy was continued for over 1 year and definite recurrence was not found as of 2.5 years after the operation. Tuberculous tenosynovitis is usually associated with significant delay in diagnosis. This case emphasizes the need to be aware of the potential for tuberculous infection in any part of the musculoskeletal system.

Keywords:

• Tuberculosis
• tenosynovitis
• tendon disruption
• wrist
• non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Conflict of interest

None.