Tuberculous osteitis in limbs. Twenty five case-reports
Moujtahid, M.; Essadki, B.; Lamine, A.; Fikry, T.; Bennouna, D.; Dkhissi, M.; Zryouil, B.
Revue du Rhumatisme 63(5): 344-348
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1169-8446 PMID: 8789880 Document Number: 462039
Tuberculous osteitis is a rare condition that can be difficult to differentiate from bone tumor on X-ray films. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse the epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disorder. Data from 25 patients (13 men; 12 women; mean age = 37) were collected between 1984 and 1993. The source of contagion was traced in 32% of the cases and 24% of patients were known as tuberculous. Patients searched medical attention because of pain in 84% of cases. The greater trochanter was involved in more than 50% of cases. The definite diagnosis was obtained by examination of a surgical biopsy and the anti-bacillary treatment led to recovery in all cases. This study highlights that tuberculosis must be considered when investigating a bone lacuna, all the more so when the greater trochanter is involved, in a country where tuberculosis is endemic.