Tuberculous arthritis of peripheral joints in patients with previous inflammatory rheumatic disease.
Four patients with a previous inflammatory rheumatic disease developed a peripheral tuberculous (TB) arthritis in a joint apparently affected by a rheumatic disease. The single most important factor in the diagnosis of TB was the presence of past or present pulmonary TB or a family history on a background of steroid use. Clinical presentation, disease evolution, and routine laboratory tests were unhelpful. The most effective method of diagnosis was synovial biopsy.
Hortas
C
C
Department of Rheumatology, Povisa, Vigo, Spain.
Ferreiro
J L
JL
Galdo
B
B
Arasa
F J
FJ
Barbazán
C
C
Mera
A J
AJ
Mosquera
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000382:microbiology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology