Osteoarticular tuberculosis involving the elbow

摘要

A 53-year-old manwith remote history of Tuberculosis (Tb) exposurewas admitted with a pneumothorax. He had mild chronicdry cough but no other Tb risk factors or constitutional symptoms.Chest imaging revealed bilateral upper lobe nodules andcalcified intrathoracic lymph nodes. Transbronchial biopsy andbronchoalveolar lavage were performed but no acid-fast bacilli(AFB) were noted on smear and neither specimen grew anyorganisms. The histopathology revealed a non-necrotizing granulomabut no AFB. Tuberculin skin test and interferon gammareleasing assay were negative, as was an HIV test. No Tb therapywas initiated.