Phalangeal Tuberculosis After Mallet Finger Treatment: A Case Report

[Introduction]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.[Case Presentation]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.[Conclusions]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.