Tuberculous infection of the elbow joint

Tuberculosis remains a major health problem worldwide with musculoskeletal involvement reported to be infrequent. A resurgence of pulmonary tuberculosis is being evidenced, especially along with the increasing incidence of immunocompromised states and with this a concomitant rise in musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Unusual presentations of tubercular arthritis and equivocal investigations along with clinician inexperience can result in delay in diagnosis. The morbidity of delayed or untreated tubercular arthritis can be devastating, ending in painful ankylosis or a requirement for salvage procedures like excisional arthroplasty or arthrodesis. The early diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis can be difficult. Presentation of the disease can mimic other conditions like neoplasia, non-tubercular infections and inflammatory arthropathy. Reports of tuberculous infection of the elbow are few. We report a case of a primary tuberculous infection of the elbow joint that presented as an isolated abscess in the cubital fossa, without pulmonary or systemic involvement. To prevent considerable morbidity, a diagnosis of tuberculosis should be included in the repertoire of diagnostic possibilities when confronted with unusual musculoskeletal manifestations.