Tuberculous Dactylitis- An Uncommon Presentation of a Common Infection

Background- Tuberular dactylitis is an unsual form of osteoarticular tuberculosis involving short tubular bones of hands and feet which is uncommon beyond 6years of age. Case Brief-We report a case of 16 year old male who was diagnosed with tubercular dactylitis involving unlateral hand. His diagnosis was delayed due to lack of suscpicion of this rare entity. He presented to the OPD with fever for 1 month and swelling of his right hand with non healing ulcers since 15 days.On examining the laboratory reports and radiographs,findings correlated with tuberculosis,suggestive of osteoarticular tuberculosis. MRI of hand and wrist was suggestive of osteomyelitis and infective arthritis. Histopathology reports revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation but AFB was not isolated. CBNAAT sputum and gastric aspirate was positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis. PPD was positive and anti tubercular treatment was started.