A report of two challenging cases of bone infection: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. How to manage?

Abstract

AbstractThe incidence of bone tuberculosis is less than 5% of all tuberculosis cases. Furthermore, multifocal bone tuberculosis is uncommon, which rarely occurs without primary foci. It is difficult to diagnose, particularly if it is localized in both humeral heads. On the other hand, the isolated iliac bone tuberculosis is exceptional; it constitutes, also, a challenging diagnosis, which requires a high index of clinical suspicion and advanced investigations. Herein, we first report a case of multifocal tuberculosis of both humeral heads with no primary foci, and we secondarily report a case of isolated iliac bone tuberculosis. At last, however, the histological exam and polymerase chain reaction for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are not always positives; they are mandatory as tests to ascertain the diagnosis.