Spina ventosa

1. Spina Ventosa
• It is tubercular dactylitis affecting short tubular bones of hand and feet
seen in children.
• Described first by Boyer and nelaton.
• Derived from two words
• Spina-Short bones
• Ventosa-expanded with air
• It occurs secondary to TB

2. Clinical presentation
Usually Course is benign
Pain
Constitutinal symptoms-Fever,loss of appetite,loss of weight,night cries.
On examination-Swelling and tenderness present.

3. Investigations
• -Blood-Leukocytosis,Raised Esr,CRP
• Sputum for culture
• Chest x-ray
• Routine x-ray of the extremity-See for periosteal reaction, diaphyseal
lytic lesion,sclerosis
• Biopsy to confirm diagnosis

4. Case report of spina ventosa
• A 13 year old female presented with pain in left index finger with loss of appetite and
loss of weight.
• No history of fall,trauma or any other complaint.
• Biopsy was done using dorsal semilunar approach and JESS fixator was applied.
• Biopsy report suggestive of spina ventosa following which AKT was started for patient
and CBC,ESR,CRP and LFT was monitored.
• The patient had one episode of convulsion following which an MRI brain was done
suggestive of tuberculoma and as per neurophysician opinion Levipril was started for
patient.The patient was subsequently discharged and adviced to continue AKT and anti
epileptic as adviced and to follow up weekly in orthopaedic OPD.

5. Clinical photo

6. Pre op xray

7. Post operative xray