Poncet's Disease: A Case-Based Review

Poncet's disease (PD) is defined by the presence of reactive aseptic oligo or polyarthritis affecting the large joints associated with active pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Its pathogenesis is unknown. It is rare and remains a diagnosis of exclusion. We report a case of PD, clinically manifesting with inflammatory polyarthralgia, that occurred in a 16-year-old patient, and provide a review of the literature.A young 16-year-old Moroccan male was admitted with a history of two-month bilateral symmetrical inflammatory polyarthralgia. It was associated with peripheral lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory blood tests found an erythrocyte sedimentation rate at 60 mm/h and C-reactive protein at 91 mg/L. Other investigations in search of a possible etiology were normal. Lymph node biopsy showed the presence of an epithelioid cell granuloma with caseating necrosis, suggesting the diagnosis of PD. Under anti-tuberculosis treatment, we noted a significant clinical evolution. Poncet's disease is a rare pathology, not to be forgotten when faced with inflammatory joint symptoms, including inflammatory arthralgia, especially in endemic countries.