Tuberculous tenosynovitis : a rare presentation of miliary TB

Abstract EN

We present, as a rare manifestation of miliary TB, a case of tuberculous tenosynovitis, preceding by two weeks onset of tuberculous meningitis.

A gradual progressive onset of a painless swelling of the right forearm was followed by high-grade fever, headache and neck pain.

A suspected diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis based upon analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was confirmed later by positive CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Although the patient had a positive Mantoux test of 20 mm, there was no evidence of pulmonary TB and a negative CSF smear for acid fast bacilli but a positive smear from a fine needle aspirate of the swelling of the right forearm.

The antituberculous therapy led to a successful outcome.