Patella tuberculosis: A case report

Abstract

A rare case of patella tuberculosis is reported. Clinical signs comprised chronic inflammatory pain, knee swelling and joint stiffness, with two years' evolution. Standard X-ray showed focal osteolysis with intact joint line. Diagnosis was based on surgical biopsy during arthrotomy. Treatment comprised nine months' antibiotherapy and bone curettage to prevent intra-articular extension. At 42 months' follow-up, functional results were good, without recurrence of infection.

Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Patella

“…The tuberculous lesion of the patella presents as a cystic lesion with a central sequestrum, without sclerosis around the lesion. 3,8 Our case had multiple lesions, giving it a florid picture that did not correlate with the clinical presentation. Radionuclide bone scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are recommended for further radiological investigations, but they are not feasible in developing countries.…”

Diagnosis and treatment of osteo-articular tuberculosis of the foot and ankle (a five case series)

“…However, the immune response usually prevents the progression to bone involvement. Only individuals with compromised immune status, such as those affected by undernutrition, advanced age, HIV infection, chronic renal failure, or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, are more susceptible to developing bone infections [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Bilateral patellar tuberculosis masquerading as infected infrapatellar bursitis

“…The knee is the third most common site for skeletal TB after the spine and the hip with the incidence of patella TB being 0.09–0.15%. 1,2 A literature search revealed only 32 indexed articles 2–33 on patellar tuberculosis since two cases were first reported by Aitken in 1938. About 40 cases have been reported overall since then, the last being reported in 2014, 4 but none describing bilateral involvement.…”