Gouty flexor tenosynovitis of the hand mimicking atypical mycobacterial infection

Abstract

A 50-year-old Japanese fish dealer presented with painful and swollen fingers. Infectious flexor tenosynovitis with Mycobacterium marinum was suspected. Range of motion was restored after tenosynovectomy and after ofloxacin and clarithromycin were administered. Two years after the operation, the patient presented again with acute inflammation in the same fingers. Histopathological examination revealed gouty tenosynovitis. The preconception that mycobacterial infection occurs often in fish dealers caused us to miss the correct diagnosis of gouty tenosynovitis.