Coexistent Mycobacterium intracellulare gonarthritis and patellar osteomyelitis in a patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis. A case report and literature review.

We present a 48-year-old man with known pulmonary sarcoidosis who developed septic arthritis of the left knee with concomitant patellar osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium intracellulare. The patient underwent synovectomy and was started on appropriate combination chemotherapy, but clinical improvement did not occur until patellectomy was performed. Both bone and radiogallium scans were important in the medical and surgical management of this patient.