Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Left Fifth Metatarsal and Phalanx Without Pulmonary Involvement: A First-of-Its-Type Report

Cureus. 2023 Jun 21;15(6):e40737. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40737. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Tuberculosis manifesting at extrapulmonary sites is relatively rare. Isolated cases involving small bones of the foot are the rarest of the rare. We herein present the case of a 30-year-old Indian female who presented with pain and a wound with a discharging sinus over her left foot. In the absence of constitutional symptoms of tuberculosis, this case was diagnosed as isolated tuberculous osteomyelitis of the left fifth metatarsal and phalanx with the help of radiography, a cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, a line probe assay, a culture of the biopsy specimen, and magnetic resonance imaging. She was initiated on anti-tubercular treatment per national guidelines.

Keywords: cbnaat/ xpert/ rif assay; fifth metatarsal; proximal phalanx; tuberculosis; tuberculous osteomyelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports