Multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis in children

To review records of 16 children with multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis.

Records of 7 girls and 9 boys aged one to 14 (mean, 6) years with multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis were reviewed. Haematological tests and radiographs of the chest, whole spine, pelvis, knees, elbows, hands, and feet were taken. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Patients were treated with standard 4-drug antitubercular chemotherapy (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide) for 2 months, followed by a 2-drug regimen (isoniazid and rifampicin) for 10 months. Supportive treatment (deworming and nutritional advice) was also provided.

All 16 patients were immunocompetent. Pain and swelling around the lesions were the main symptoms; fever was not common (2 cases only). No patient reported weight loss or night sweats. The mean number of bony lesions was 3.4 (range, 2-15) per patient. Appendicular (hands and feet) involvement was more common than axial (spinal) involvement. Radiological appearances of the lesions were cystic, irregular, lytic, and with or without sequestrum/ periosteal reaction. Some lesions were asymptomatic and detected incidentally on radiographs. Only one patient had active chest lesions. Five patients had spinal involvement but no neurological deficit. No patient underwent any surgical intervention, except for diagnostic biopsy. The mean follow-up period was 18 (range, 6-24) months. All patients showed complete healing within one year of chemotherapy. There were residual deformities and restriction of joint movement in patients with advanced articular and axial osteoarticular involvement.

Children with multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis were usually immunocompetent. Appendicular involvement was common, but concomitant chest involvement was uncommon. Standard multidrug antitubercular therapy and nutritional supplementation achieved good outcome.