Suppurative extensor tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi ulnalis tendon sheath

Suppurative tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons has been reported frequently, and its diagnosis and treatment are well established.(1-6) However, suppurative tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons is a rare entity that has been infrequently reported in the English literature. Reported cases were usually nonlocalizedand atraumatic and occurred in immunocompromised patients. In this article, we report a case of isolated suppurative extensor tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon sheath in a healthy individual and review the literature, anatomy, and treatment.     

Extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis mimicking de Quervain's disease because of its course through the first extensor compartment: a report of 2 cases

We present 2 cases of extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis caused by the unusual course of the extensor pollicis longus tendon. The extensor pollicis longus tendon passed through the first extensor compartment and was constricted severely. The symptoms were similar to those of de Quervain's disease. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical technique of this very rare anatomic condition are discussed.     

Tuberculous tenosynovitis of the tibialis anterior tendon: a case report

Tuberculous tenosynovitis is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis occurring primarily in the hands and wrists with limited reports involving the lower extremities. We report a rare case of tuberculous tenosynovitis of the tibialis anterior tendon occurring in a 37-year-old Filipino male. The tendon was surgically debrided and the patient was given a six month course of antituberculin chemotherapy. At one year postoperatively, the patient has good function with no evidence of recurrence.     

An uncommon occupational accident: tuberculous tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons of the hand

We present a case of tuberculous tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons of the hand. Our patient was a young doctor working in the respiratory medicine department. He was injured on the dorsal aspect of the hand with a needle used for pleural aspiration. The clinical features consisted of gradually swelling, mild pain and stiffness of the metacarpophalangeal joint. The diagnosis was made after synovectomy. Histological and bacteriological examinations revealed tuberculosis. Treatment consisted of synovectomy and appropriate antibiotics. The clinical course was excellent after one year follow-up. Tuberculous tenosynovitis of the hand is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis occurring in fewer than 5% of all cases of skeletal tuberculosis. Thickening of the tendon or synovial sheath and local accumulation of fluid are the characteristic manifestations. The diagnosis must be confirmed by surgical biopsy. Antibiotics and synovectomy achieve a good functional result.     

Suppurative extensor tenosynovitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Suppurative tenosynovitis is a rare infection, occurring almost exclusively in the flexor tendon sheath as a posttraumatic event. We report the case of a systemically ill woman with suppurative tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Early recognition of this unusual infection may prevent unnecessary morbidity.     

Multiple unusual complications after extensive chronic sarcoid tenosynovitis of the hand: a case report

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic disease characterized by multiple noncaseating granulomatous nodules. Involvement of the hand is extremely uncommon and tenosynovitis of the hand is rare. We present a patient who developed sarcoid tenosynovitis of multiple digits involving both the flexor and extensor tendons. He also developed flexor tendon rupture, subchondral bone erosions, and multiple joint subluxations.     

Anomalous course of the extensor pollicis longus: clinical relevance

The extensor pollicis longus (EPL) is a consistent structure with rare anomalies, the most common being a group of different tendon duplications passing through the fourth compartment without symptoms. The second form comprises anomalies in the course of the EPL having significant clinical importance due to the predisposition for creating tenosynovitis of the EPL mimicking other types of tendon tenosynovitis. Clinical symptoms of radial dorsal wrist pain mimicking intersection syndrome or de-Quervain disease with the "absent snuff box" sign should raise suspicions for an anomaly in the course of the EPL.     

Snapping wrist caused by tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon subsequent to subcutaneous muscle rupture in the forearm: case report

We report a rare case of snapping in the dorsal wrist that was caused by extensor carpi radialis longus tenosynovitis occurring after rupture of the muscle in the middle forearm. After resection of the tendon at the wrist, the snapping disappeared.     

Extensor digitorum longus tenosynovitis caused by talar head impingement in an ultramarathon runner: a case report

Stenosing tenosynovitis of the extensor digitorum longus tendon is an injury related to ultramarathon running. A 32-year-old male ultramarathon runner developed chronic tenosynovitis of the ankle dorsiflexors. He was diagnosed with extensor digitorum longus tenosynovitis caused by talar head impingement associated with exostosis. He failed to respond to non-operative management and decided to undergo tenosynovectomy of the extensor digitorum longus tendon. The pain was relieved without functional disturbance of the foot and ankle, and the patient returned to running 3 weeks postoperatively. At the 2-year follow-up, he was participating fully in ultramarathons.     

Hazards of steroid injection: Suppurative extensor tendon rupture

Local steroid injections are often administered in the office setting for treatment of trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain''s tenosynovitis, and basal joint arthritis. If attention is paid to sterile technique, infectious complications are rare. We present a case of suppurative extensor tenosynovitis arising after local steroid injection for vague symptoms of dorsal hand and wrist pain. The progression of signs and symptoms following injection suggests a natural history involving bacterial superinfection leading to tendon rupture. We discuss the pitfalls of local steroid injection and the appropriate management of infectious extensor tenosynovitis arising in such situations.     

Extensor carpi ulnaris problems at the wrist--classification, surgical treatment and results

Twenty-eight extensor carpi ulnaris lesions at the wrist were treated surgically between 1990 and 2002. Fifteen patients had an isolated extensor carpi ulnaris tenosynovitis or tendinopathy, five had extensor carpi ulnaris dislocation, four had an extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation and four had an extensor carpi ulnaris rupture. Seventeen patients first developed their symptoms while playing sports. At a mean follow-up of 23 months, twenty-two patients had returned to their previous activities. Seven of the 27 patients had lost more than 30% of their grip strength and five had restricted wrist motion. Two needed an extensor carpi ulnaris tenolysis. Pure isolated extensor carpi ulnaris lesions are rare and associated ulnar sided lesions (eleven triangular fibrocartilage complex tears and four lunotriquetral ligament tears), as well as possible predisposing factors (seven anomalous tendon slips, four ulnar styloid non-unions and one flat extensor carpi ulnaris tendon groove), were frequent. A classification of extensor carpi ulnaris tendon and subsheath lesions was developed to allow the surgeon to adequately evaluate the different components of these lesions.     

Isolated tuberculous tenosynovitis of the Achilles tendon: a report of two cases

Tuberculous tenosynovitis involving the tendons of the feet is very rare. Isolated primary tuberculous tenosynovitis of the Achilles tendon was detected in two women aged 19 and 53 years, respectively. The younger patient had a swollen and painful Achilles tendon in the left foot. Complete excision of the lesion followed by antituberculous chemotherapy for six months resulted in complete improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging showed normal findings at the end of six months and no recurrence after 27 months of follow-up. The older patient had diabetes and was on cytostatic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. She had difficulty in squatting and climbing stairs due to swelling and pain in the right ankle. She underwent abscess drainage and excision of the cystic mass. Despite disappearance of symptoms in the affected ankle in the course of antituberculous chemotherapy, she died due to miliary tuberculosis in the sixth month. Tuberculous tenosynovitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients suffering from persistent swelling and pain in the hind foot.     

Gouty flexor tenosynovitis of the digits: report of three cases

Gouty tenosynovitis in the hand is a rare entity. To date the limited cases described have involved predominantly extensor tendons in the fingers and flexor tendons in the palm or wrist. Flexor tendon involvement is less common and has been reported only twice to our knowledge distal to the palm. We report 3 cases of extra-articular gout presenting as tophaceous involvement of flexor tendons in the fingers. All cases were treated surgically. These cases are presented to heighten awareness of this rare entity and to provide a setting for a discussion of management.     

Achilles Tendon Infection Due to Mycobacterium chelonae

Atypical tuberculous tenosynovitis of the foot and ankle is extremely rare. The determination of the Mycobacterium species is essential because resistance of atypical mycobacterial strains to antituberculous drugs is often encountered. We report a case of Mycobacterium chelonae paratendinous and intratendinous infection involving the Achilles tendon. Repeat aggressive irrigation and debridement procedures, coupled with removal of foreign materials and the appropriate use of prolonged antibiotic therapy, can result in a successful long-term outcome.     

Extensor tendon rupture due to Coccidioides immitis. Report of a case

In a 60-year-old man, extensor tendon rupture was associated with coccidioidal tenosynovitis. Dissemination of Coccidioides immitis to the tenosynovium in the wrist is an unusual complication following pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.     

Long-term results after tenosynovectomy to treat the rheumatoid hand

To be effective as a prophylactic procedure, tenosynovectomy to treat rheumatoid hand has to be done before there is significant tendon damage. Tenosynovectomy is usually considered to prevent subsequent tendon rupture and recurrent tenosynovitis. We reviewed the results of all tenosynovectomies done at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center from 1968 to 1983. One hundred seventy-three procedures were done for 125 patients. Fifty percent of patients who had prophylactic tenosynovectomy demonstrated tendon invasion. Examination at a mean of 70 months after 129 procedures showed extensor tendon failure in 1 patient of 44 who had normal tendons, 1 of 42 with invaded tendons, and in 3 of 43 who had ruptured tendons at the time of original surgery. Seven patients had recurrent tenosynovitis.     

Sarcoid tenosynovitis in the hand. A case report and literature review

We report a case of involvement of a finger flexor tendon by sarcoidosis. A review of twelve cases suggests that this is a rare manifestation of the illness that most often affects the finger extensors at the wrist. It tends to present in established sarcoidosis and is associated with a higher than usual incidence of polyarthritis. The main differential diagnosis would be tuberculous tenosynovitis. We suggest that a histological spectrum exists running from a predominantly cellular picture to one of fibrotic nodules, perhaps explaining previously described instances of pseudo-tumour. We would recommend tenosynovectomy in conjunction with corticosteroid therapy as the treatment of choice.     

Tendon subluxation after de Quervain's release: treatment by brachioradialis tendon flap

Volar subluxation of the tendons of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist occurred in two patients after surgery for treatment of de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis. In both patients a painful tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus developed, which was unresponsive to conservative therapy as the tendons prolapsed over the prominence of the first dorsal compartment. A distally based flap of the brachioradialis tendon was used to prevent tendon prolapse, with both patients asymptomatic and free of subluxation one and five years after operation.     

Delayed rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon after inappropriate placement of the pi plate on the volar surface of the distal radius

The pi plate (Synthes Ltd, Paoli, PA) was designed to fit the unique contour of the dorsal aspect of the distal radius. Complications of pi plate fixation of the dorsal distal radius have been previously reported to include both extensor tenosynovitis and delayed extensor tendon rupture. We report a case of rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon associated with inappropriate placement of the pi plate on the volar surface of the distal radius.     

Volar dislocation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon on magnetic resonance imaging is associated with extensor digitorum communis tendon rupture in rheumatoid wrists

PURPOSE: Extensor tendon rupture in rheumatoid wrists is a common problem and causes immediate dysfunction of the digits. The best treatment for tendon rupture may be prophylactic management, although the factors associated with tendon rupture must first be identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate structures around rheumatoid wrists using magnetic resonance imaging with forearm rotation and to identify factors associated with extensor tendon rupture as indications for prophylactic surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 34 patients (40 wrists) with active rheumatoid arthritis. The extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendons were ruptured in 15 wrists. Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrists was performed in maximally pronated and supinated positions of the forearm. Axial images of the distal radioulnar joints (DRUJs) were selected to evaluate DRUJ synovitis, dorsal tenosynovitis, volar dislocation of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon, sigmoid notch angle, and the radioulnar ratio (RUR) (ie, the degree of DRUJ subluxation). RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between EDC tendon rupture and DRUJ synovitis, dorsal tenosynovitis, or RUR in pronation. Extensor digitorum communis tendon rupture correlated significantly with volar ECU tendon dislocation, sigmoid notch angle, and RUR in supination. Radioulnar ratio correlated significantly with volar ECU tendon dislocation only in supination and not in pronation. Thus, DRUJ subluxation was advanced even in the supinated wrist with volar ECU tendon dislocation. As a factor associated with EDC tendon rupture, volar ECU tendon dislocation had 87% sensitivity and 76% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Volar ECU tendon dislocation is associated with increased RUR in supination and EDC tendon rupture. Volar ECU tendon dislocation can thus be considered a factor associated with EDC tendon rupture, and its presence may indicate the need for prophylactic surgical intervention in a subset of rheumatoid arthritis patients.