Nigerian Journal of Plastic Surgery

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2015  |  Volume : 11  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 59--62

Recalcitrant finger ulcer in HIV patient; think herpetic whitlow, save the finger


Zainab Yunusa Kaltungo, Emeka Nwakire 
 Department of Surgery, Plastic Surgery Unit, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Emeka Nwakire
Department of Surgery, Plastic Surgery Unit, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe
Nigeria

This is a case report to highlight the atypical presentation of hand ulcers caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a 43-year-old right-handed female who developed a nonhealing and progressive ulcer involving the left middle finger and extending to the palm for which she was referred to our facility. Initial clinical diagnosis following examination was squamous cell carcinoma. However, carefully observed similar new lesions she developed while being investigated was in favour of HSV infection. She had remarkable response on acyclovir which substantiated the diagnosis. Awareness and a high index of clinical suspicion are required of physicians who may come across similar lesions.


How to cite this article:
Kaltungo ZY, Nwakire E. Recalcitrant finger ulcer in HIV patient; think herpetic whitlow, save the finger.Nigerian J Plast Surg 2015;11:59-62


How to cite this URL:
Kaltungo ZY, Nwakire E. Recalcitrant finger ulcer in HIV patient; think herpetic whitlow, save the finger. Nigerian J Plast Surg [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];11:59-62
Available from: https://www.njps.org/article.asp?issn=0794-9316;year=2015;volume=11;issue=2;spage=59;epage=62;aulast=Kaltungo;type=0