Tuberculous Arthritis in the Elbow Joint in an Adolescent

Abstract

Musculoskeletal system tuberculosis (TB) accounts for approximately 10% of all TB cases, excluding those involving pulmonaryTB. Elbow TB is extremely rare and is seen in 2%–5% of musculoskeletal system cases. The diagnosis of TB arthritis is very difficultbecause its onset is insidious and progress is slow and there are nonspecific local and systemic symptoms. A delay in treatmentcan result in irreversible osteoarticular destruction. This paper presents the clinical and radiological findings of a 12-year-old adolescentpatient with elbow TB arthritis.