Osteoarticular tuberculosis: A series of six cases diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology

A few studies are dealing with the role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB). The present study was undertaken to study the cytomorphological features of six cases of osteoarticular TB throughout 1 year, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. The Papanicolaou, Giemsa, Ziehl-Neelsen, and periodic acid-Schiff stains were used in each case. The sampled material was also cultured in Lowenstein- Jensen media for Mycobacterium species and polymerase chain reaction assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Histopathological findings were correlated whenever available. There were four male and two female patients. The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 53 years, with a mean age of 37 years. Most cases involved small bones (4/6) and long bones of upper and lower limbs (2/6). Radiologically, the suspected lesions presented as osteolytic lesions, fractures, and joint destruction. The smears showed epithelioid cell granulomas in 5 out of 6 cases (83.3%), multinucleate and Langhans' giant cells in 3 out of 6 cases (50%), and only necrosis in 1 case (16.7%). Inflammatory cells were seen in the background in 5 out of 6 cases (83.3%). AFB was positive in 3 cases (50%). Culture in Löwenstein-Jensen media, done in three cases, showed growth of M. tuberculosis. PCR showed positivity for M. tuberculosis in all six cases. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is an easy procedure that can be used for the diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis. Cytomorphologically, smears show epithelioid cell granulomas, multinucleated and Langhan's' giant cells, and necrosis.