Tuberculous monoarthritis of the wrist in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

• Main Authors: W. A. N. V. Luke, M. P. M. L. Gunathilake, Duminda Munidasa, Dilshan Munidasa, S. T. De Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-07-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Tuberculosis; Wrist; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Case report
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-017-2629-2

Abstract Background Unusual forms of tuberculosis are common among immune-suppressed patients, leading to challenges in diagnosis and management. We present a Sri Lankan patient with systemic lupus erythematosis, investigated for chronic wrist pain with low inflammatory markers and without systemic symptoms, who was subsequently diagnosed to have tuberculosis of the joint. Case presentation A 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosis in remission was evaluated for chronic left wrist pain without significant examination findings on presentation. She did not have any constitutional symptoms. Basic investigations did not reveal any significant abnormalities. She was treated with increasing immunosuppression as for lupus related arthritis. Subsequently she developed a wrist effusion with high inflammatory markers, and was treated as septic arthritis. Synovial biopsy features suggested tuberculosis. The patient’s symptoms improved with surgical intervention and anti-tuberculosis treatment. Conclusion Tuberculosis should be considered in patients with systemic arthritis with unusual symptoms. Delayed diagnosis along with continuing immunosuppression can lead to extensive tissue damage. Clinically detectable effusions should be analyzed along with synovial biopsy in order to exclude concurrent infections. Radiography of the joint has poor sensitivity to detect early joint damage, but changes may be evident early on magnetic resonance imaging, sothis should be considered in patients with unusual features.