CASE REPORT: “SPINA VENTOSA” TUBERCULOUS DACTYLITIS IN A 7 YEAR OLD BOY- A RARE CASE

Spina ventosa (Latin-spina: “a thorn”, ventosa: “full of wind, distended”) is a rare condition. Tuberculous infection of metacarpals, metatarsals and phalanges of hands and feet is known as tuberculous dactylitis. In children, the lesions involve the peripheral skeleton, while in adults the involvement is mainly axial. TB dactylitis and spina ventosa are the common variants of TB osteomyelitis seen in children below five years. In our case, 7 year old boy was admitted with fever and respiratory complains along with flexion deformity of left hand ring finger. Detailed history and investigation revealed pulmonary tuberculosis along with spina ventosa of left hand middle finger. The patient responded well to anti-tubercular therapy and is now free of tubercular infection. A high index of clinical suspicion, timely and judicious use of invasive diagnostic methods and confirmation of the diagnosis, early institution of DOTS and close clinical monitoring
for adverse drug reactions, are the key to the successful management of this case