Infected mucous cyst of the finger.

The potentially serious complication of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint of the finger secondary to an infected mucous cyst is documented with a report of four cases seen within the past 6 years. Debridement, open packing, and antibiotic therapy resulted in satisfactory control of the infection in these cases. This report provides additional basis for prophylactic extirpation of mucous cyst of the the finger.