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Destructive Osteoarthritis after Delayed Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

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Abstract

Osteoarticular tuberculosis rarely occurs in developed countries. Initial symptoms are often overlooked and the diagnosis is frequently delayed for several months. Thus, despite available diagnostic tools and accessible treatment, destruction of affected joints remains a complication of nonvertebral osteoarticular tuberculosis even in industrialized countries.

We report a patient from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in whom the delayed diagnosis of tuberculous osteoarthritis led to severe destruction of the left knee and finally, after superinfection with Staphylococcus aureus, to an above-the-knee amputation. The epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of nonvertebral tuberculous osteoarthritis are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Clinic, Research Center Borstel, Medical University of Lübeck, Parkallee 35, D-23845 Borstel, Germany; Phone: (+49/45) 37188-0, e-mail: clange@fz-borstel.de, , , , , , DE

    C. G. Lange

  2. Dept. of Orthopedics, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, , , , , , US

    P. J. Getty

  3. Dept. Of Pathology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, , , , , , US

    A. B. Morrissey

  4. Depts. of Medicine and Pediatrics, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio,USA, , , , , , US

    A. L. George

  5. Dept. of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, , , , , , US

    P. C. Young

  6. Dept. of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, , , , , , US

    K. B. Armitage

Authors
  1. C. G. Lange
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  2. P. J. Getty
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  3. A. B. Morrissey
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  4. A. L. George
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  5. P. C. Young
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  6. K. B. Armitage
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Additional information

Received: December 14, 2000 · Revision accepted: October 4, 2001

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Lange, C., Getty, P., Morrissey, A. et al. Destructive Osteoarthritis after Delayed Diagnosis of Tuberculosis. Infection 30, 46–49 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-001-1194-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-001-1194-7

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