RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 TB or not TB: an unusual sore finger
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 490
OP 491
DO 10.1136/emj.18.6.490
VO 18
IS 6
A1 D Sunderamoorthy
A1 V Gupta
A1 A Bleetman
YR 2001
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/18/6/490.abstract
AB A 25 year old Afro-Carribean presented to the accident and emergency department with a painful swelling of the little finger. Radiology revealed periosteal elevation and a bone scan showed a hot spot in the proximal phalanx, suggestive of a tumour or an infection. He gave a history of recurrent chest infections in the past, the chest radiograph revealed apical lesions and loculated pleural effusion. Bronchoscopy washings were positive for acid fast bacillus suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis with tuberculous dactylitis. A detailed history and high index of suspicion is important as delay in diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient.