title: A persistent case of tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis and pubic bone.
abstract: A case of a patient suffering from tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis and pubic bone is presented. There were no symptoms other than pain in the right groin area for 12 months. An X-ray of the pelvis showed an osteodestructive lesion of the pubic bone, and an MRI revealed an abscess formation of the pubic symphysis. Tissue samples were collected via CT-guided needle biopsy. Histological evaluation of tissue and analysis by PCR prompted the diagnosis of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Despite antituberculous chemotherapy according to the current guidelines, the osteodestructive lesion progressed. This case highlights the difficulty of treating bone infections in general. Moreover, Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a rare causative agent of bone infections is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dapunt
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mischnik
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goeppinger
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lehner
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001850:Bone Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents