Unusual manifestations of osteoarticular tuberculosis

Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for approximately 10% of all extrapulmonary TB cases in the United States and is the third most common site of extrapulmonary TB after pleural and lymphatic disease. Vertebral involvement (tuberculous spondylitis, or Pott's disease) is the most common type of skeletal TB, accounting for about half of all cases of musculoskeletal TB. The presentation of musculoskeletal TB may be insidious over a long period and the diagnosis may be elusive and delayed, as TB may not be the initial consideration in the differential diagnosis. Concomitant pulmonary involvement may not be present, thus confusing the diagnosis even further. Early diagnosis of bone and joint disease is important to minimize the risk of deformity and enhance outcome. The introduction of newer imaging modalities, including MRI (imaging procedure of choice) and CT, has enhanced the diagnostic evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal TB and for directed biopsies of affected areas of the musculoskeletal system. Obtaining appropriate specimens for culture and other diagnostic tests is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis and recover M. tuberculosis for susceptibility testing. A total of 6 to 9 months of a rifampin-based regimen, like treatment of pulmonary TB, is recommended for the treatment of drug susceptible musculoskeletal disease. Randomized trials of tuberculous spondylitis have demonstrated that such regimens are efficacious. These data and those from the treatment of pulmonary TB have been extrapolated to form the basis of treatment regimen recommendations for other forms of musculoskeletal TB.

Tuberculosis arthritis of the metatarsal phalangeal: a rare location

Tuberculosis TB is common in countries constituting endemic areas like Morocco, spinal sites represents half of osteo-articular locations, while peripheral locations in the limbs are rare. The authors relate in this observation the case of a particular location of tuberculosis arthritis. It is osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the 2(nd) ray of the foot. Clinical signs were characterized by a moderately painful swelling of the dorsum of the foot with slow evolution. The definitive diagnosis was histologically obtained. Clinical cure was achieved after 09 months of medical treatment.

Tuberculosis of the greater trochanter. Report of four cases

OBJECTIVE

To present four cases of tuberculosis of the greater trochanter.

CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

The four cases (3 females and 1 male), aged 45-70 years, presented with mechanical pain in the trochanteric area associated with progressive swelling in the 3 female patients in whom mobility was also restricted. X-ray revealed a mass in 2 females; CT scan and MRI exhibited an abscess in the 3 females. Histological and bacteriological examinations showed Mycobacterium bovis in the 3 females and M. tuberculosis in the male. In the females, tritherapy and surgery were performed, while in the male quadritherapy and surgery. All the patients recovered and were followed up for 4-9 years.

CONCLUSION

These cases show that both chemotherapy and surgery must be synergic if tuberculosis is diagnosed and an abscess is confirmed by imaging.

Tuberculosis of the metacarpals and phalanges of the hand

Skeletal tuberculosis (TB) is less common than the pulmonary form. Involvements of the metacarpals and phalanges of the hand are infrequent. The authors report their experience with treatment and outcome of TB of the metacarpals and phalanges of the hand in 7 patients. There were 4 women and 3 men in the study who ranged in age from 3 to 60 years (average age, 22.7 years). The duration of complaints at presentation ranged from 4 to 17 months (average, 9 months). The most common presentation was pain and swelling. The presumptive preoperative diagnoses were bone tumor in 4 patients, spina ventosa in 2, and chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis in 1 patients. The results of the laboratory examination showed a mild increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No patient had an active tubercular lesion or history of pulmonary disease. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture and radiographic features, and was confirmed by open biopsy. No patient had bony debridement or arthrodesis to control the infection. The treatment of all patients began with a 4-drug regimen for 2 months, followed by a 2-drug regimen for 10 months. The mean follow-up was 30.28 months (range, 16-52 months). At the time of the last follow-up, all lesions had healed with no recurrence. The functional results were satisfactory in all patients. One patient with thumb metacarpophalangeal TB had joint irregularity and thumb metacarpal shortening. Arthrodesis was not needed in any patient. TB of the metacarpals and phalanges of the hand can be difficult to diagnose during the early stages. TB should be suspected in cases of long-standing pain and swelling in the metacarpals and phalanges. It is necessary to keep TB in mind when making the differential diagnosis of several osseous pathologies.

Elbow tuberculosis: an unusual location and diagnostic problem

Tuberculous arthritis of the elbow joint is not commonly seen by orthopaedic physicians. In the past 20 years, with the pandemic of the human immunodeficiency virus and the increase in immunocompromised people, we have observed a resurgence of tuberculosis. Osteoarticular involvement has increased, too. Spinal and monoarthritis of weight-bearing joints such as the hip or knee are most frequently involved. The elbow joint is an uncommon location of osteoarticular tuberculosis. The aim of this case report is to describe a case of tuberculous arthritis of the elbow and the diagnostic problems that may arise and lead to a delay in treatment.

Orthopaedic manifestations of tuberculosis

An estimated 1 million people will be infected with tuberculosis worldwide in the first 20 years of the 21st century. If the disease is not recognized and treated early the morbidity and mortality of this condition will rise. This article highlights the varying manifestations of tuberculosis from an orthopaedic perspective.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of hemoglobinopathies

Patients with sickle cell disease often seek treatment for rapid periorbital swelling due to infarction of the orbital bones. Because of resulting orbital compression syndrome, treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics is advisable. If spinal tuberculosis occurs in patients with sickle cell anemia, radiologic signs will be a combination of the two conditions. The diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is usually delayed in patients with sickle cell disease. Sulphasalazine is the disease-modifying drug of choice for treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, because it also reduces the adhesiveness of sickled red cells. TNF-alpha inhibitors may also be useful for treating these patients. A volumetric method to determine the size and special distribution of the necrotic lesions of the femoral head has been developed using magnetic resonance imaging scans. With this method it will be easier to determine which early lesions require core decompression, or which ones should be treated conservatively. Osteomyelitis can be differentiated from bone infarction with the use of segmental radionuclide bone-marrow and bone scans. Reduction in frequency of painful crises can be achieved by increasing fetal hemoglobin with the use of hydroxyurea. The treatment of the actual pain requires decisions about the analgesics that are used as well as the route of their administration. Ketorolac monotherapy is likely to fail in the presence of an initial high pain score or with involvement of four or more pain sites.