Synovial rupture complicating Brucella arthritis.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Brucella arthritis is a significant cause of joint inflammation, often presenting with characteristic symptoms.
• Pseudothrombophlebitis syndrome typically involves venous inflammation and thrombosis, mimicking deep vein thrombosis.

Observation:

• A patient presented with symptoms mimicking pseudothrombophlebitis syndrome, later diagnosed as Brucella arthritis.
• The patient exhibited a rare complication: rupture of the knee synovial membrane into the calf.

Findings:

• Bacteriological analysis confirmed Brucella infection in blood, knee effusion, and calf aspirate.
• Ultrasonography provided supportive evidence for the calf swelling and synovial rupture.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates a novel presentation of Brucella arthritis, expanding the spectrum of its clinical manifestations.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering rare complications in infectious arthritis and utilizing imaging for diagnosis.