[Tuberculous arthritis and chondrocalcinosis. Apropos of 2 cases]

Two cases of tuberculous arthritis in a joint affected with chondrocalcinosis are reported. No similar cases have been published. Diagnosis was established by demonstration of the tubercle bacillus and calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joint fluid. Both patients were elderly French females. One patient with involvement of a knee required amputation. The other patient had involvement of a shoulder and developed inferior dislocation of the humeral head and drooping shoulder despite antituberculous therapy. Concomitant occurrence of the two conditions was apparently coincidental but may have adversely affected prognosis. Despite its rarity, tuberculous arthritis should be looked for in patients with arthritis and chondrocalcinosis to allow early specific therapy.