Plant thorn tenosynovitis

Abstract

We report a case of plant thorn injury-induced tenosynovitis of the index finger of the left hand that was cured after surgical removal of the foreign body and partial synovectomy. We review current literature on this infrequently reported topic. Pathologically, thorn synovitis represents a foreign body reaction to retained plant material and is mostly aseptic. The presentation is delayed with the history of preceding injury often forgotten, and the diagnosis thus relies on careful elicitation of history. Imaging may be helpful to localize the plant material when the history is not clear. When possible, removal of the foreign material leads to complete remission, although some patients need partial or total synovectomy.