Tuberculosis presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome

A 44-year-old man presented with typical symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings of carpal tunnel syndrome. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the flexor tenosynovium excised at surgery. Tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome with unexplained chronic synovitis. The diagnosis may be missed unless a tissue specimen is analyzed specifically with acid-fast stain and culture. Therapy should include excision of involved synovium, early postoperative mobilization, and appropriate chemotherapy.