[Osteoarticular tuberculosis nosology and diagnostic pitfalls]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopedics
• Radiology

Background:

• Osteoarticular tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It results from lympho-hematogenous spread or reactivation of latent infection, often years after initial exposure.
• Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to non-specific symptoms and imaging findings.

Observation:

• A clinical case involving lumbar and pelvic abscesses is presented.
• This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in skeletal tuberculosis.
• The importance of considering tuberculosis in patients with subacute bone/joint pathology and relevant risk factors is emphasized.

Findings:

• Skeletal tuberculosis presents with varied, often subtle, clinical and radiological signs.
• Delayed diagnosis is common, impacting patient outcomes.
• Clinical suspicion is key, particularly in endemic populations or those with comorbidities.

Implications:

• Enhancing awareness among frontline clinicians is vital for timely diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe morbidity associated with bone and joint tuberculosis.
• Further research into early diagnostic markers for osteoarticular tuberculosis is warranted.