A persistent case of tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis and pubic bone.

Ulrike Dapunt, Alexander Mischnik, Stephan Goeppinger, Burkhard Lehner

BMJ case reports 2014 Mar 10

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A case of a patient suffering from tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis and pubic bone is presented. There were no symptoms other than pain in the right groin area for 12 months. An X-ray of the pelvis showed an osteodestructive lesion of the pubic bone, and an MRI revealed an abscess formation of the pubic symphysis. Tissue samples were collected via CT-guided needle biopsy. Histological evaluation of tissue and analysis by PCR prompted the diagnosis of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Despite antituberculous chemotherapy according to the current guidelines, the osteodestructive lesion progressed. This case highlights the difficulty of treating bone infections in general. Moreover, Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a rare causative agent of bone infections is discussed.

Citation

Ulrike Dapunt, Alexander Mischnik, Stephan Goeppinger, Burkhard Lehner. A persistent case of tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis and pubic bone. BMJ case reports. 2014 Mar 10;2014