Infections following nail puncture wound of the foot: case reports and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

Between July 1989 and August 1990, five children (four boys and one girl, age 10-14 years) were hospitalized due to foot infection following nail puncture wound. Symptoms and signs at presentation included cellulitis and deep tissue abscess in all five, fever in three, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate in four, and leukocytosis in two patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown in pus culture that was taken from all the children at presentation. In three children who were initially treated by local debridement and drainage followed by anti-pseudomonal agents, plantar Pseudomonas osteochondritis later developed. In two children extensive debridement of affected tissues and drainage of pus were performed followed by 2 weeks of parenteral anti-Pseudomonas antibiotics. No further complication occurred. The clinician should be aware that any complication of nail puncture wound of the foot may require surgery.