FLEXOR TENOSYNOVITIS IN THE HAND - AN UNUSUAL ETIOLOGY

We report an unusual case of tenosynovitis in the hand. A female farm worker aged 66 developed swelling of the middle and little fingers. Ex tensive synovectomy of the flexor tendon sheaths was performed, and th e synovitis was found to be due to Listeria monocytogenes, which is un usual in this area. Treatment with amoxycillin and gentamicin for 10 d ays was replaced by trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole for 3 weeks. There wa s no recurrence of infection 3 months after surgery, and flexion and e xtension were complete at that time.