Multifocal skeletal tuberculosis in nonimmunocompromised patient: Thumb infection as the tip of an iceberg

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) of the musculoskeletal system is not an uncommon clinical condition. Multifocal osseous involvement is often rare and difficult to recognize. Because of the diverse and atypical clinical manifestations, it is easily misdiagnosed in many situations. The present study reports a case of multifocal skeletal TB masquerading as septic arthritis of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Because of the high prevalence of TB in developing countries, chronic osteoarticular infective lesions are to be considered as TB unless proved otherwise. The importance of clinical suspicion, systematic investigation, and the role of a biopsy in the diagnosis of skeletal TB is emphasized in this study.

Keywords

• multifocal tuberculosis
• osteolytic lesion
• osteomyelitis
• skeletal tuberculosis
• small bone tuberculosis