Osteoarticular tuberculosis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has significantly increased globally.
• Peripheral skeletal tuberculosis is frequently misdiagnosed as more common conditions like osteoarthritis or pyogenic osteomyelitis.
• TB is no longer a rare diagnosis and should be considered in differential diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathogenesis of osteoarticular tuberculosis.
• To provide practical diagnostic strategies for skeletal TB.
• To outline current treatment approaches for osteoarticular tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarticular tuberculosis.
• Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic modalities.
• Synthesis of current therapeutic guidelines.

Main Results:

• Osteoarticular tuberculosis presents with varied symptoms, often mimicking other bone and joint diseases.
• Early and accurate diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical suspicion, imaging, and microbiological/histopathological confirmation.
• Treatment involves a multi-drug regimen and may require surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Increased vigilance is necessary for diagnosing peripheral skeletal tuberculosis.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate anti-TB therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• This review offers practical guidance for clinicians managing osteoarticular tuberculosis.