Mycobacterial infections of the hand and wrist

Abstract

We sought to synthesize important information from recent literature on mycobacterial infections of the hand and wrist. A PubMed search for recent literature (published between 2008 and the present) concerning mycobacterial infections of the hand and wrist was done.The recent literature on mycobacterial infections of the hand and wrist consists entirely of case series and case reports. Although there is some agreement among authors, no consensus exists regarding optimal diagnosis or treatment of these infections.Mycobacterial infections of the hand and wrist are rare, and diagnosis is typically delayed as more common processes are assumed. Certain types of vocational exposure and immunocompromise may be risk factors. Mycobacterial infection may present in a similar fashion to that of more typical organisms and may produce otherwise aseptic pathology including tenosynovitis, trigger-finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment with long pharmaceutical courses is common. Surgery is reserved for refractory cases.