This case has been reported because of its rarity and atypical clinical presentation. An 8-year-old boy presented with a gradually increasing swelling localised on the antero-medial aspect of the foot haemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Mantoux and X-ray chest were normal. An irregular lytic lesion of the talus was seen on the x-ray of the affected part. Ziehl Nelson staining of the aspirated fluid revealed acid-fast bacilli. Material obtained after curettage and bone grafting was sent for histopathological examination which confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Post operatively a below knee cast was given for 12 weeks and anti tubercular treatment was given for 20 months. At the end of the treatment patient had full and painless motion at the ankle and subtalar joint. The lytic lesion had healed on X-ray.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the most prevalent infectious disease in Southeast Asia. It causes both pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases. TB of the wrist is rare and presents as osteomyelitis or tenosynovitis. We report a middle-aged male with carpal bone tuberculous osteomyelitis. He presented with left wrist pain initially treated as gouty arthritis. Within 2 weeks, he developed seropurulent discharge with osteomyelitic changes on imaging. He underwent debridement, and intraoperatively, there was destruction of most carpal bones. Histopathological examination revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with abscess formation. Anti-TB medication was initiated, and he made a complete recovery with almost full range of wrist movement after 9 months of treatment. This case serves as a reminder that TB is a great mimicker, and a high index of suspicion is required to make a diagnosis of TB of the wrist. Early initiation of anti-TB is pivotal to prevent complications and deterioration of joint functions.