Value of histopathology, culture and guinea pig inoculation in osteoarticular tuberculosis

Evaluation of histopathology, culture and guinea pig inoculation in 58 patients provisionally diagnosed as having osteoarticular tuberculosis in the Department of Orthopedics, P.B.M. Hospital, Bikaner is presented. The following conclusions were reached. Where facilities exist, all the investigations should be carried out in each case to obviate chances of missing the diagnosis and if possible all the pathological material available should be used. Otherwise histopathology plus guinea pig inoculation or histopathology plus culture should be mandatory. Clinical examination, radiological evidence and gross appearances of the lesion can only serve as an aid to preliminary diagnosis and/or prognosis.