Case: Following an insidious onset of symptoms, a 29-year-old man who had no risk factors for tuberculosis was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the iliac crest. The red flag in this case was the patient's progressive deterioration despite a variety of antibiotic regimens. Histopathologic demonstration of necrotic granulomatous inflammation and a positive culture led to the diagnosis. A combination of surgery and antitubercular-drug therapy resulted in clinical recovery.
Conclusion: Iliac crest tuberculosis represents <1% of all skeletal tuberculosis cases. Even in the absence of classic symptoms and risk factors, orthopaedic surgeons should maintain a low threshold for tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis.