Extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis. Clinical case report of a child with tuberculous osteoarthritis

Introduction : Tuberculous osteoarthritis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a very rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis, especially in children. Aim : This article presents a clinical case of a 21-month-old male patient with tuberculous osteoarthritis affecting the ankle joint. The rarity of this pathology underscores the critical importance of swift diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists from diverse medical fields. Results : Early initiation of specific antituberculous treatment, coupled with timely surgical intervention, ameliorated the patient’s immediate suffering. Furthermore, this combined therapeutic strategy holds promise for a favorable long-term prognosis regarding joint function. Conclusion : Tuberculosis in children exhibits markedly diminished incidence, and its extrapulmonary variants are exceedingly rare. However, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly when confronted with recalcitrant diseases that defy conventional therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive understanding of tuberculous osteoarthritis, despite its rarity, is pivotal for effective management.