Osteo-articular tuberculosis: its presentation in coloured races

Four hundred and ninety-nine cases of osteo-articular tuberculosis have been analysed with special emphasis on the "unusual" presentation. Sclerotic bone reaction in association with active tuberculous osteitis is not at all uncommon and may occur in any affected bone. Maintenance of disc spaces with tuberculous spondylitis is not uncommon. Periosteal reactions, often very gross, occur commonly both in multicystic tuberculosis as well as in isolated lesions. Multiple bone involvement occurred in 8.2% of this series. Tomography delineates the total extent of involvement especially in central involvement of vertebral bodies. Healed tuberculosis may give rise to block vertebrae indistinguishable from the congenital type except for the absence of waisting at the level of fusion.