title: Foot and ankle tuberculosis: case series and literature review.
abstract: Foot and ankle tuberculosis (TB) is a rare presentation of skeletal TB. The uncommon site along with low index of clinical suspicion in the western world leads to delays in the diagnosis and treatment. This can make joint sparing procedures less successful, especially in the midfoot where the joints can often be interconnected. Plain radiographs have low sensitivity and specificity and cross sectional imaging in the form of MRI or CT is more reliable. Treatment involves the use of multiple anti-tuberculous drugs in the first instance, followed by surgery to address any symptomatic deformity and/or secondary degenerative changes. We present our experience on the management of this rare problem and review the literature on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, imaging modalities and treatment.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mtkorim@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korim
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rizwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jitendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mangwani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Ankle; Diagnosis; Foot; Fusion; Treatment; Tuberculosis