Imaging features of shoulder tuberculosis with rice bodies formation: A case report

Abstract

Osteoarticular tuberculosis is less common than pulmonary tuberculosis and is often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of people with joint disease. In this article, we present a case of a 71-year-old female patient admitted to the hospital because of pain and limited movement of her right shoulder for a year. The patient had diabetes for 10 years, and no history of tuberculosis or previous history of tuberculosis exposure. Blood test results showed inflammatory condition and positive IGRA test. X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging images revealed osteolytic and sclerotic lesions of the humeral head, diffuse thickening of the synovial membrane, and loose bodies in the joint and bursa. The clinical diagnosis was tuberculous inflammatory osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. The patient underwent arthroscopy surgery to remove loose bodies and the inflamed portion of the synovium and send them to the pathology department. Histopathological examination of the loose bodies and synovial membrane revealed features suggestive of tuberculosis of the shoulder joint. Afterward, the patient was treated with antituberculosis drugs according to the guideline and rehabilitation exercises. After 3 months of treatment, the clinical symptoms were reduced, the pain rating was decreased and the range of motion was increased.

Keywords

• Shoulder
• Tuberculosis
• Rice bodies
• Magnetic resonance imaging