Tuberculous bursitis around the knee mimicking benign soft tissue tumor

• Main Authors: Che Ahmad, Aminudin, Osman Cassim, Samsudin, Shukur, Mohd Hassan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia 2004
• Subjects: RD701 Orthopedics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/29917/1/TUBERCULOUS_BURSITIS_AROUND_THE_KNEE.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/29917/; http://www.eimjm.com/Vol3-No1/Vol3-No1-C1.html
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

We report a case of a man presenting with painless diffuse swelling over his right knee region with the clinical and radiological features suggesting a benign soft tissue tumour. Surgical removal of the lesion was done. A histopathological (HPE) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous bursitis around the knee with joint involvement. He was treated with 6 months of antituberculous chemotherapy. Correct diagnosis was difficult and delayed because of the rarity of the condition. Modern imaging technology including magnetic resonance imaging, in particular, was not conclusive.