Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of flexor tenosynovitis caused by an unusual pathogen

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections are commonly encountered in the emergency department and are typically caused by common gram-positive bacteria. In the immunocompromised patient, however, infections from unusual pathogens should also be considered. We describe the case of a 66-year-old male with a history of renal transplant who was diagnosed with flexor tenosynovitis by point-of-care ultrasound. Although initial wound cultures were negative, subsequent microbiological testing led to the underlying cause, a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.