Introduction:

in Uruguay, an increase in the number of cases of TB with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary involvement in children has been reported. Osteoarticular infections represent 10%-15% of extra-pulmonary involvement.

Objective:

to warn about an uncommon etiology of osteomyelitis whose presentation results in diagnostic difficulties.

Clinical case:

18 month-old girl, previously healthy. Consultation was due to edema and right ankle functional insuficiency with three-month evolution, under apyrexia. X-ray imaging revealed multiple geodesic images in the distal portion of diaphysis, as well as a small sequestrum in right fibula. Through a bone puncture, serohematic fluid was extracted. Culture and hemoculture were negative. Treatment consisted of 21 days of intravenous clindamycin and 10 days of gentamicin. Two surgical debridements were performed. Progressive recovery followed. The child was discharged under cefuroxime axetil oral suspension and later a bone culture showed positive results for Mycobacterium TB. Treatment with isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide was started. Index case could not be identified.

Discussion:

clinical presentation of bone tuberculosis is generally insidious. This explains difficulties and delays in diagnosis. It is remarkable that only biopsy allows the confirmation of diagnosis. The present epimediologic condition forces us to rule out possible TB etiology in the presence of an inflammatory osteoarticular process of lethargic evolution. Timely and accurate treatment requires a high degree of suspicion, as well as the performance of systematic bone and/or joint puncture.

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