Marques V B, Vieira H P, Alcantara A C C, Braga F N, Rocha F A, Medeiros M C
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Rheumatology, Division of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio of Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Acta Reumatol Port. 2010 Jan-Mar;35(1):82-4.
Tenosynovitis caused by tuberculosis (TB) is a rare presentation of this disease usually reported in immunocompromised patients. We describe a patient diagnosed with TB tenosynovitis of the left upper limb with no history of immunodeficiency. Although appearing in an endemic area the time to diagnosis was 6 years due to the absence of acid-fast stained bacilli in the first cultures despite histopathology showing a granulomatous lesion. Institution of pharmacological treatment and surgical debridément led to improvement within one month. The authors emphasize the need for early intervention in order to halt disease progression and avoid sequelae.