𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 Flashcards
What is paronychia?
An infection of the eponychium of the lateral nail fold.
What are common causes of paronychia?
Nail biting, manicuring, and superficial injuries.
How does paronychia progress if left untreated?
It starts as cellulitis but can progress to abscess formation.
What is a subungual abscess?
An abscess under the nail bed.
How does chronic paronychia differ from acute paronychia?
Chronic paronychia is usually non-suppurative.
What is a felon?
A painful bacterial infection in the pad of the finger.
Why does a felon have limited proximal spread?
The distal phalanx is compartmentalized by septa.
What is the primary cause of felons?
Direct inoculation of bacteria via penetrating trauma.
What are the key symptoms of a felon?
Edema, swelling, redness, pain, and increased pressure.
What serious complications can arise if a felon is untreated?
Compartment syndrome and myonecrosis.
What is herpetic whitlow?
A viral infection of the distal finger caused by direct inoculation of herpes virus into broken skin.
How does the herpes virus behave in herpetic whitlow?
It can remain dormant in neural ganglia, causing recurrent infections.
How is herpetic whitlow treated?
It typically resolves on its own but may require antiviral medication.
What is infectious tenosynovitis?
An infection within a flexor tendon sheath.
What is the most common cause of infectious tenosynovitis?
Direct inoculation of bacteria from penetrating trauma.
Which bacteria can cause infectious tenosynovitis through hematogenous spread?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
How does tenosynovitis spread within the hand?
It follows the course of the tendon sheath, spreading into the radial or ulnar bursa.
What complications can arise from untreated tenosynovitis?
Tendon necrosis and impaired function.
What are deep fascial space infections?
Infections in compartments of the hand, including the thenar space, mid-palmar space, subfascial web space, and subaponeurotic space.
How do deep fascial space infections typically occur?
Through penetrating trauma, spread from lumbrical muscles, or hematogenous seeding.
What is a common presentation of herpetic whitlow?
Pain, pruritus, swelling, and clear vesicles.
What symptoms indicate infectious tenosynovitis?
Edema of the entire finger, pain with passive extension, flexed resting posture.
What is a hallmark sign of a thenar space infection?
Swelling at the thumb/web space and pain with passive adduction.
How does a mid-palmar space infection present?
Pain, swelling, loss of hand concavity, and pain on movement of the 3rd and 4th fingers.
