Collar-button abscess as a complication of infected hematoma in the setting of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes

Jennifer Adams; Daniel Habenicht; Savvas Poulos

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107427

Collar-button abscess as a complication of infected hematoma in the setting of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Aug:97:107427. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107427. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

Authors

Jennifer Adams¹, Daniel Habenicht², Savvas Poulos³

Affiliations

¹ University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Medicine, 1201 W University Dr., Edinburg, TX, USA. Electronic address: Jennifer.adams01@utrgv.edu.
² University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Medicine, 1201 W University Dr., Edinburg, TX, USA.
³ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen, TX, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Collar-button abscesses are deep space infections of the hand.

Case presentation: We present a case of a 66-year-old man who developed an acute collar-button abscess of the hand after a concrete bench fell onto the dorsal aspect of his hand. The hand abscess was managed successfully with intravenous antibiotics and operative intervention.

Discussion: While such infections comprise a small percentage of hand infections, insufficient or delayed treatment results in permanent hand disfiguration and dysfunction. This case highlights an uncommon dorsal-to-volar pattern of hand abscess extension.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomy of the hand is essential to diagnosis and appropriate surgical management.

Keywords: Collar-button abscess; Diabetes; Hand infections.