Delayed diagnosis of tuberculosis presenting as small joint arthritis--a case report.
Small joint arthritis is an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis. We report a case of tuberculosis presenting as arthritis of the midtarsal joints with concomitant spinal involvement. This case illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing tuberculous arthritis as it has an insidious onset, paucity of constitutional symptoms, unremarkable early physical findings and frequent absence of associated pulmonary involvement. A high index of suspicion in high-risk individuals with chronic monoarthritis, is required to avoid delayed diagnosis.
Family Health Service, Ministry of Health, Institute of Health, Singapore.
Y
Y
Ong
P Y
PY
Cheong
Y P
YP
Low
P Y
PY
Chong
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging