Navicular tuberculosis: A rare localization of bone tuberculosis

Tubercular Osteomyelitis of Navicular Bone: A Rare Site for Bone Tuberculosis

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health problem, endemic to India. Osteoarticular TB uncommonly presents in the foot, navicular osteomyelitis is an extremely rare entity.

Case Report

We report a rare case of navicular osteomyelitis caused by TB in a 37-year-old man who presented to OPD with swelling and dull aching pain over the dorsum of his left foot. A radiograph of the foot showed a lytic lesion in the navicular bone. Further investigations in the form of aspiration cytology, cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, and acid-fast bacilli culture confirmed TB. Category-1 anti-tubercular therapy was started immediately and the patient was treated conservatively. Four drugs (HRZE) were given for 2 months and 3 drugs (HRE) for 9 months, after which the patient stopped his medications on his own. Radiographs and CEMRI at 14-month follow-up showed a healed lesion.

Conclusion

This case illustrates an exceptional location of osteoarticular TB and shows that Navicular TB can be treated conservatively with near-complete function and recovery if diagnosed early.

Fracture of the Distal Radius by Tuberculous Osteomyelitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a 94-year-old patient with a fractured radius that was being managed conservatively. At 2 months, an abscess was observed overlying the fracture site. An MRI scan was done and samples obtained for microbiological and pathological analyses. The patient was diagnosed with tuberculous osteomyelitis. Surgical debridement of the fracture site was performed, and the bone defect was filled with bone cement impregnated with gentamicin and rifampicin. Anti-tuberculosis therapy was administered for 9 months and the patient made an uneventful recovery. Early diagnosis and correct medical treatment depend on sound evidence of tuberculous osteomyelitis. Surgical debridement is essential if abscesses are present in the bone. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Clinical presentation and imaging of a rare case of Tarsal Tuberculosis

A 43‐year‐old woman arrived to emergency unit of our hospital, referring intense deteriorated pain and swelling of midfoot. Rapid clinical evolvement of osteoarticular tuberculosis represents a potential clinical scenario. Clinicians should always include foot tuberculosis in differential diagnosis, in cases of severe clinical and radiological manifestations.

Tuberculosis of Distal Radius Presenting as Cystic Lesion in a Nine-Month-Old Infant: A Rare Case Report

Tuberculous osteomyelitis affecting long bones is a rare form of tuberculosis. Among infants born in endemic region, often it is difficult to diagnose owing to its subtle clinical features. Here, a case of tuberculous osteomyelitis affecting the distal radial metaphysis is reported, presenting as a cystic lesion in a nine-month-old male infant. Open biopsy with curettage was performed followed by filling of the cavity with synthetic bone substitute (beta tricalcium phosphate granules). The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination and demonstration of acid fast bacilli. Further treatment with anti-tubercular drugs led to clinical and radiological improvement. This case report highlights the importance of keeping tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis while dealing with cases with similar presentation in an endemic region.