The thenar space is a bursa (potential space) extending radially from to the midpalmar septum to the thenar eminence. It lies between the adductor pollicis muscle and the index-finger flexor tendons. Infections of this space are usually due to gram-positive Staphylococci, and the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) should be considered1.
Pathophysiology
Related Anatomy
Incidence and Related Conditions
Differential Diagnosis
Reproduced from the International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Fifth edition, 2016. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2016 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246208
Patients will typically present after the infected hand has become swollen and painful, some days after a puncture wound to the radial side of the palm. Kanavel signs maybe present in the thumb and/or index finger. A thenar space infection is an abscess and will require a surgical incision and drainage.
Organism
Antibiotic
Methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus
Cephalexin, amoxicillin clavulanate (PO)
Methicillin-resistant
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (PO), linezolid (PO or IV)
If sulfa allergy, clindamycin or doxycycline
Vancomycin (IV), daptomycin (IV)
Quinupristin/dalfopristin (IV)
Tigecycline (IV)
Ceftaroline (IV)
Vancomycin-resistant
Enterococci
Daptomycin, linezolid (PO or IV), tigecycline (IV),
quinupristin/dalfopristin (IV)
Gram negative
Piperacillin/tazobactam
Ceftriaxone
Ertapenem
Quinolones/ciprofloxacin
Pseudomonas
Cefepime
Meropenem
Anaerobic infections
Ampicillin/sulbactam, Piperacillin/tazobactam,
Ertapenem, meropenem
Metronidazole
Clindamycin
Tigecycline
Vibrio vulnificus
Ceftriaxone and doxycycline
Imipenem and doxycycline
Nocardia
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
If sulfa allergy: imipenem, ceftriaxone, amikacin
Sporothrix schenckii
Itraconazole
fluconazole and voriconazole
Mycobacterium marinum
Clarithromycin/azithromycin
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole minocycline
Ethambutol
Aeromonas hydrophilia
Ciprofloxacin
Imipenem
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