Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the proximal femur masquerading as bone secondary: A case report

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a mycobacterial infection, but it can mimic many diseases including diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The need to consider it as a differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal tumours and tumour-like conditions cannot be overemphasized. The opinions of some, that tuberculosis is a disease of the undeveloped world, can no longer be sustained especially in the presence of immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV/AIDS, which have a worldwide prevalence. Traditionally, literature evidence shows that tuberculosis can mimic quite a number of diseases, including cancers. This has been found to be true, even in some technologically advanced countries. We present a case of hepatocellular cancer patient incidentally found to have concomitant hepatic tuberculosis who complained of bone lesion, with clinico-radiologic features of metastasis, but which turned out to be a tuberculous infection of the bone.