[Analysis of misdiagnosis of tuberculosis in the synovial sheath].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the factors for misdiagnosis of tuberculosis in synovial sheath, and therefore to improve the early diagnosis of the disease.


METHODS
From January 1991 to December 2003, 15 cases of tuberculosis in the synovial sheath were treated using surgery and anti-tuberculous agents. The clinical features and the related factors for misdiagnosis were analyzed.


RESULTS
The duration from onset of symptom and sign to a final diagnosis was (16 +/- 10) months (range from 2 to 36 months). Twelve cases were misdiagnosed before surgery. All cases were followed up for 2.5 to 7 years without recurrence, except one case of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with tuberculosis of the wrist and the ankle 1 month after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of specific symptoms and signs, nonspecific radiological manifestations and over-dependence on laboratory examinations were the major factors responsible for early misdiagnosis.
Xu
Jie
J
Department of Orthopaedic, Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Huang
Jing
J
Liu
Yong
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*