Tuberculous sacroiliitis. A case report and review of the literature

Eur Spine J. 2005 Sep;14(7):683-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-004-0831-0. Epub 2005 Feb 3.

Abstract

Background: Infections of the musculoskeletal system are tuberculous in nature in 1-5% of cases. The sacroiliac joint is involved in 3-9.7%. We describe the case of a 32-year-old man with tuberculous sacroiliitis presented as a growing mass on the lateral aspect of his right proximal and mid-thigh. Open biopsy, histology, cultures and PCR established the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Results: After surgical drainage of the abscess, the patient was administrated a triple antibiotic regimen for 12 months. Seven years postoperatively, the patient is disease-free with no functional limitation. This case report highlights the importance of continued awareness for early detection and treatment of a tuberculous sacroiliac joint infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Femur / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur / microbiology*
  • Femur / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Sacroiliac Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Sacroiliac Joint / microbiology*
  • Sacroiliac Joint / pathology
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / pathology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents