Tuberculosis tenosynovitis: A rare cause of tenosynovitis in the hand and wrist

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it is commonly associated with lung involvement, it can affect other parts of the body. Approximately 10% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases involve bone and joint manifestations. Apart from the spine, the most commonly affected joints are the knee, hip, and ankle joints. Joint involvement can present as a slowly progressive and chronic monoarthritis. In this study, we presented a 63-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with primary tuberculosis tenosynovitis, a rare condition that can be easily confused with many clinical conditions, despite the absence of any infectious focus. In conclusion, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can involve joints, acting as an exceptional mimicker. Therefore, this pathogen should always be considered in the differential diagnosis and management of patients with arthritis.