Mycobacterium marinum flexor tenosynovitis

Four culture-positive cases of flexor tenosynovitis of the hand caused by Mycobacterium marinum are reported. The organisms were cultured at 32 degrees. All patients were treated with a combination of flexor tenosynovectomy and antimycobacterial treatment with ethambutol and rifampin. The length of antimycobacterial treatment ranged from nine to 22 months. All four patients responded to treatment with cessation of signs of infection, increased range of motion, and complete wound healing.