[Advanced tomographic images of monoarticular tuberculosis. A case report]

It is known that cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis have a good prognosis from the standpoint of functionality, if they are detected and treated early on. The typical presentation of monoarticular tuberculosis begins with irradiating articular pain, swelling, loss of mobility, nocturnal fever, and weight loss; most cases present six months after the onset of symptoms. The X-ray studies aimed at finding Phemister's triad, as well as multi-slice CT scan or MRI may suggest the diagnosis.

We report the case of a 21-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of a tumor in the left knee, with a probable period of pulmonary tuberculosis of 3 months which resolved spontaneously. Radiologically, we found images compatible with articular destruction suggestive of tuberculosis; this is the reason why multi-slice CT was performed with plain and contrast multiplanar and volumetric reconstructions.

In cases of monoarticular tuberculosis a comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment is required with plain and advanced imaging to make a certain diagnosis. The topographic study with multiplanar and volumetric images has specific characteristics that make it a useful resource for diagnosing osteoarticular tuberculosis.

A multidisciplinary assessment is required with a thorough case history, laboratory tests and imaging studies that confirm the presumptive diagnosis. We think that the study that included topographic images with multiplanar and volumetric reconstructions was fundamental to this diagnosis, as there are no similar reports in the current literature.