Tuberculous arthritis mimicking neoplasm in a hemodialysis patient

Am J Med Sci. 2001 Dec;322(6):373-5. doi: 10.1097/00000441-200112000-00012.

Abstract

Hemodialysis patients are known to develop the complication of extrapulmonary tuberculosis more frequently than the general population. Tuberculous arthritis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and is reported to occur in approximately 1% of cases in nonuremic patients. Only 3 cases in dialysis patients, who were not proven by a bacterial culture or had died before treatment, have been reported. We report herein a culture-proven case of tuberculous arthritis developing at the sternoclavicular joint, which initially mimicked an apparent neoplasm in a hemodialysis patient. A favorable outcome was obtained after antituberculous therapy. Tuberculosis must be considered one of the most significant diagnoses in hemodialysis patients who present with a tumor-like lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / etiology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / complications
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / therapy
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Male
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Sternoclavicular Joint / pathology*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / diagnosis*