Abstract
Clubbing of the fingers is often taken to be a sign of serious illness. Its discovery, particularly if there are associated symptoms in the cardiovascular, respiratory or gastrointestinal systems, usually leads to exhaustive investigation. A case is presented in which the etiology of clubbing was found only when a new history of heavy ingestion of herbal tea was obtained, extensive work-up having previously been unhelpful. Other cases appearing in the English-language literature are cited, some universal etiological associations are described, and an attempt is made to explain the phenomenon, based on a recent theory of the cause of clubbing.
Highlights
Clubbing of the fingers is often taken to be a sign of serious illness
A 47-year-old woman was admitted to hospital for investigation of abdominal pain and finger clubbing
The patient had undergone numerous investigations to determine the cause of her abdominal pain
Summary
Finger clubbing caused by herbal tea SAIFUDIN RASHIQ MB FRCPC*, NEIL E BROWN MD FRCPC†, RICHARD N FEDORAK MD FRCPC‡ *Department of Anaesthesia, and Divisions of †Pulmonary Medicine and ‡Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Clubbing of the fingers is often taken to be a sign of serious illness. A case is presented in which the etiology of clubbing was found only when a new history of heavy ingestion of herbal tea was obtained, extensive work-up having previously been unhelpful. Other cases appearing in the English-language literature are cited, some universal etiological associations are described, and an attempt is made to explain the phenomenon, based on a recent theory of the cause of clubbing
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