Poncet’s Disease Revisited

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most dreaded diseases prevalent in developing countries. Though primarily affecting the lungs, TB can affect almost any part of the body. The musculoskeletal system is the fourth most common extra-pulmonary target, after pleural, lymphatic and genitourinary system. Poncet’s Disease aka Tuberculous Rheumatism is a rare rheumatologic association of active Extra Pulmonary TB (EPTB) which may be easily missed/misdiagnosed even though TB is frequently encountered in medical practice. The authors present the case of an adolescent who presented with subacute symmetrical inflammatory arthritis of lower extremities. Investigations ruled out other rheumatological conditions. He recovered completely after receiving Antitubercular Treatment (ATT) for abdominal TB, which was diagnosed during workup.