Disseminated tuberculosis presenting with finger swelling in a patient with tuberculous osteomyelitis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis have become increasingly important in the era of HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
We describe a case of tuberculosis (TB) dactylitis in a patient with AIDS who originated from the Ivory Coast. The diagnosis was established by direct visualization of acid-fast bacilli on joint fluid and bone biopsy of the proximal phalanx. Imaging of the chest revealed multiple bilateral nodules. Confirmation of the diagnosis was made by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum and bone cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculosis should be considered in patients with unusual soft tissue or skeletal lesions, especially when an immunosuppressive condition is present. Ziehl-Neelsen staining and culture of tissue obtained via surgical biopsy offer the most direct approach to diagnosis.
Agarwal
Shradha
S
Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA. shradha.agarwal@mssm.edu
Caplivski
Daniel
D
Bottone
Edward J
EJ
D050278:Finger Phalanges; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy