Osteomyelitis - terminal tuft

Case contributed by Talal F M Abdullah
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Index finger pain, history of trauma with foreign body in the index a month ago

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Erosion of the terminal tuft of the right index.

Soft tissue swelling of the index finger compared with other digits.

Case Discussion

The finger was draped for weeks for a non-healing "oozing" wound.

Findings probably represent osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx secondary to traumatic inflammatory changes.  Other differentials include post-traumatic acro-osteolysis or implantation dermoid.

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