Document Details

Document Type : Article In Journal 
Document Title :
Tuberculous arthritis revisited as a forgotten cause of monoarticular arthritis
Tuberculous arthritis revisited as a forgotten cause of monoarticular arthritis
 
Subject : Orthopedics 
Document Language : English 
Abstract : BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major concern for health care workers. The number of reported cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly osteoarticular tuberculosis, is increasing. This fact is attributed to different factors such as underestimating the disease and difficulty in diagnosis, which requires tissue sampling and can lead to a delay in the diagnosis, and can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to highlight the difficulties and delay in diagnosis of articular tuberculosis, raising the need to create awareness about the importance of early diagnosis to avoid major complications of joint destruction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of patients presenting to a tertiary care center between 2003 and 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed cases who presented with monoarticular joint pain and swelling that failed to respond to treatment elsewhere and were eventually diagnosed as having articular tuberculosis. We collected the demographic data, history, data on clinical examination and the relevant laboratory investigations, in addition to the data on radiological studies. All patients were treated medically with antituberculosis chemotherapy and surgically according to the severity of joint destruction. Results: Thirteen patients had a mean age was 40 years (range, 17-70 years). The average delay in diagnosis was 2 years. Only 1 patient had pulmonary TB. The hip, knee and elbow were the most common joints involved. Bacteriology was positive in 69% of the cases; and histopathology, in 92%. Fifteen percent of the patients had arthrodesis. None showed recurrence after follow-up of 4 years. CONCLUSION: A high level of clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarticular TB to reduce its significant morbidity 
ISSN : 0256-4947 
Journal Name : Annals of Saudi Medicine 
Volume : 31 
Issue Number : 4 
Publishing Year : 1432 AH
2011 AD 
Article Type : Article 
Added Date : Tuesday, December 6, 2011 

Researchers

Researcher Name (Arabic)Researcher Name (English)Researcher TypeDr GradeEmail
محمد الصيادAl-Sayyad, Mohammed InvestigatorDoctorate 
لطف أبومنصرAbumunaser, Lutf ResearcherDoctorate 

Files

File NameTypeDescription
 31546.pdf pdf 

Back To Researches Page