Delayed Diagnosis: Tuberculous Arthritis of Right Knee Joint in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background. Though skeletal tuberculosis (TB) accounts about 3% of all TB cases, it occupies 10–35% of extrapulmonary TB cases. Common osteoarticular sites involved include the spine (40%), hip (25%), and knee (8%). Co-occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and tuberculous arthritis involving peripheral joint is rarely reported in the literature. Case Presentation. We present a case of 42-year-old Sri Lankan-Sinhalese male with right knee joint pain and swelling for one-year duration. This patient had a history of long-standing RA with interstitial lung disease for which he was on multiple immunosuppressive medications including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. His knee joint aspiration fluid was positive for both acid fast bacilli (AFB) and polymerase chain reaction for TB (TB-PCR). He was started on anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Conclusion. TB should be considered as an important differential diagnosis for chronic mono-arthritis of knee joint with a high degree of suspicion, particularly where TB is endemic.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of large joint tuberculous arthritis

Objectives: Large joint monoarticular tuberculous involvement is rare. It may not be associated with classical clinical features. Hence, it is difficult to differentiate from other conditions similarly involving the large joints. Our study aimed to study the characteristics of large joint monoarthritis on magnetic resonance imaging. Material and Methods: We reviewed the radiology database for large joint tubercular arthritis cases over 2 years. In total, there were 21 patients. Male: female ratio was 11:10. The mean age was 34.14 ± 15.82 years with a range of 8–57 years. We diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) based on histopathological examination or response to antitubercular therapy. Results: Knee was most frequently involved (47%; n = 10) followed by wrist and elbow in 3 patients each (14.28%). Concomitant active pulmonary TB was absent in all of our patients. Grade I synovial thickening was seen in eight patients, Grade II in four, and Grade III in seven. It was uniform in all the cases. Grade 1 bone marrow edema was seen in 06 patients, Grade III in 13, and none in 02. There was soft-tissue edema in 12 patients and soft-tissue collection in 2. Bone erosions were seen in 16 patients with rim enhancement in nine patients. Central erosions were seen in eight, while central and peripheral erosions in eight. On T1-weighted images, the signal intensity was hyperintense 10 and isointense in 11 patients. While on T2-weighted images, it was hyperintense in 10, isointense in nine, and hypointense in two patients. Conclusion: Large joint monoarticular tuberculous arthritis can present variably. Large erosions with rim enhancement, the signal intensity of synovium on T1 weighted and T2 weighted, uniformity of synovial thickening, and enhancement pattern of abscesses can help make a diagnosis.

Poncet’s Disease – A Commonly Missed Diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality among infectious diseases with estimated 1.5 million deaths from TB in 2018 -19 and presented as a public health concern. In 1897, the Frenchman Antonin Poncet first described Poncet's disease (PD) as a rare syndrome, where polyarthritis in an acute stage of TB, resolved without joint damage. Similar reports on patients of tuberculosis and joint pain led authors to improve the definition, and in 1978, PD was described as a para infective arthritis by Bloxham and Addy. Regardless of its doubtful existence, cases have been continued to be reported over the years. Poncet's disease is a form of reactive arthritis which is characterized by articular affection in patients diagnosed with TB where there is immune reaction to the tuberculous protein but there is no direct invasion by the micro-organism.1,2 PD is to be differentiated from tuberculous arthritis where there is monoarticular and direct tubercular involvement of the joint. Before more obvious features develop, the sole manifestation of the disease is joint involvement. Crippling pain is experienced during polyarthritis which limits the mobility and activities of patients. Polyarthritis can also occur in common causes such as rheumatological diseases as a symptom and thus can be easily misdiagnosed. Polyarthropathy, that is multiple large and small joints involvement in the body, is the one of the rarest presentations in both active pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This polyarticular impairment observed in patients with active TB, a form of reactive arthritis is known as Poncet’s disease. Since there is no direct bacillary invasion of the joints, it is an aseptic form of arthritis. It is not to be confused with tuberculous arthritis, which is usually monoarticular and where there is direct tuberculin infection. Poncet's disease remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Since case reports are very rare even in countries where tuberculosis is common thus no accepted diagnostic criteria is set for Poncet's disease. This diagnostic possibility becomes increasingly important as the use of corticosteroids, immune suppressants or biologicals can risk further dissemination of the disease. We describe the case of a 50-year-old woman, who presented with active tuberculosis where polyarthralgia was the first and only symptom for four months. Polyarthritis patients were being treated with both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antitubercular therapy and to the surprise patients with antitubercular treatment had complete resolution of symptoms after 6-week therapy whereas non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) offer no benefit. The total duration of therapy was 6 months.

Tuberculosis of bilateral ankles: Misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis

The osteoarticular tuberculosis is a uncommon diease, which is accout for 0.1%-0.3% of Tuberculosis (TB). The involoment of foot and ankle is only 0.01%-0.03% of TB, particularly the bilateral feet and ankles are affected is extremely rare. Futhermore, its clinical manifestation is atypical and similar with autoimmune disorder, subacute or chronic pyogenic arthritis, osteochondrosis, benign bone tumors and so on, which conduce to the delay of its diagnose and therapy along with unfavourable prognosis. Here we present a case of a 52-year-old man with bilateral feet and ankles tuberculous arthritis, misdiagnosed successively Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Poncet’s diease. It is hope that can enhance the alertness about osteoarticular tuberculosis. Keywords: Osteoarticular tuberculosis; ankle; foot; misdignose.

Diagnostic value of synovial fluid adenosine deaminase level in tuberculous arthritis

Although body fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) level is useful for diagnosing tuberculosis but little is known about joint fluid ADA level in tuberculous (TB) arthritis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of synovial fluid ADA (SF-ADA) in TB arthritis. Of 43 patients enrolled, nine had confirmed TB arthritis. Fourteen had non-TB septic arthritis, and 20 patients had non-infectious etiologies. The SF-ADA levels were significantly elevated in patients with TB arthritis compared to those with non-infectious origin (P <0.05). All SF-ADA levels were ?76 U/L in TB arthritis and ? 60 U/L in non-infectious synovial fluid. The ADA was not different between TB arthritis and non-TB septic arthritis (P = 0.87). The possibility of identifying synovial fluid with an ADA under 60-76 U/L of tuberculous etiology may be very low. In addition, an SF-ADA ?76 U/L with negative ordinary bacterial culture results is highly suspicious for TB arthritis. Continuous...

TUBERCULOUS ARTHRITIS OF THE ANKLE MIMICKING SYNOVITIS IN CHILD - A CASE REPORT

Background: Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis is approximately 10% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases, and the musculoskeletal system’s involvement was only 2-4. The incidence of ankle TB was found to be less than 2% of all musculoskeletal TB. The rare occurrence, uncommon site, non-specific symptoms, lack of awareness frequently causes diagnosis difficulties.Case Report: A 2,5-year-old child came to the hospital with the main complaints of swelling and pain on the left ankle since one year ago. She was diagnosed with the ankle’s synovitis from the previous hospital and was given analgesics and a warm compress on the left ankle. However, the swelling of her left ankle increased during the last seven months, causing limitation of the left ankle movement, then she was admitted to the hospital for further examination. Radiologic examination revealed peripheral osseous erosions, reduced bone mineral content, and soft tissue swelling. A Mantoux test was positive with 15 mm induration and 25 mm erythema. Anti-tuberculous drugs (ATD) therapy was given with isoniazid 50 mg, rifampicin 75 mg, pyrazinamide 150 mg, and ethambutol 230 mg for two months, as an intensive phase therapy following rifampicin 75 mg and isoniazid 50 mg for ten months.Conclusion: Tuberculous arthritis of the ankle poses a diagnostic-difficulties, it should be considered especially in the endemic area. It is often misdiagnosed with other musculoskeletal conditions, which can delay the initiation of appropriate treatment. TB must be confirmed by histological pathology. A combination of ATD and surgery can lead to clinical improvement.