Tuberculosis of the Greater Trochanteric Bursa Occurring 51 Years after Tuberculous Nephritis

Abstract:

We present a case of tuberculous greater trochanteric bursitis occurring 51 years after tuberculous nephritis in a 71-year-old man. Radiographs of the affected hip revealed focal osteolysis of the greater trochanter and calcification in the surrounding soft tissues. Contrast-enhanced CT scans and MRI revealed that the enlarged bursa extended into the femoral intermuscular spaces. Bacterial culture of the biopsied bursa grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Total excision of the infected bursa, combined with antituberculous therapy, was curative. Tuberculosis of the greater trochanteric bursa should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic hip pain. New tuberculous musculoskeletal lesions can occur elsewhere in the body many years after primary tuberculous lesions have healed.