Knee tuberculosis: A misleading clinical entity (case report).

INTRODUCTION: Bone and joint infections are rare localizations of tuberculosis, and its diagnosis is challenging. The atypical clinical presentation may lead to delayed diagnosis and severe complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 72-year-old female diagnosed with tuberculosis of the knee. She was complaining of progressive right knee pain and swelling without systemic signs. She was misdiagnosed as having a flare-up of osteoarthritis, which led to a delayed diagnosis and a septic subluxation of the knee. We performed a knee arthrotomy, lavage, and stabilization with an external fixator. The microbiologic tests did not isolate any germs. However, a histological examination confirmed the diagnosis by revealing a caseating granuloma surrounded by epithelioid cells. The patient treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy had a good evolution. Three months post-surgery, the external fixator was replaced with a removable knee brace. DISCUSSION: Osteoarticular tuberculosis is often caused by the hematogenous route. The lack of specificity in clinical and radiological signs makes the diagnosis difficult, especially at the early stage, leading to delays in diagnosis and complications. Nevertheless, the recognition of predisposing factors to tuberculosis, with persisting symptoms despite treatment, should draw the intention of further investigation. The treatment of osteoarticular tuberculosis is primary medical with antituberculosis chemotherapy. However, surgical treatment is reserved for specific indications and mostly to treat complications. CONCLUSION: The lack of specificity in clinical and radiological signs in osteoarticular tuberculosis may mislead the physician. Nevertheless, focusing on predisposing factors, especially in endemic areas, may guide diagnosis and avoid complications.

[Mid-term results in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles using osteochondral grafting (mosaic arthroplasty)]. / Résultats à moyen terme du traitement des ostéochondrites disséquantes des condyles fémoraux par greffe ostéochondrale en mosaïque.

Several surgical procedures, including mosaic arthroplasty, can be used to treat patients with cartilage loss in the femoral condyles. This study aims to assess mid-term clinical and radiological results as well as the main prognostics elements. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study over a period of 15 years. During the study period we collected data from 35 workable medical records of patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyles treated by mosaic arthroplasty, with an average follow-up of 24 months. The level of complaints as well as preoperative knee function were evaluated and compared with the healthy knee according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and visual analogue scale (VAS). It was less than 60% in 27 patients. During the follow-up period, the results were analyzed according to Hughston's functional and radiological criteria. After an average follow-up of 24 months, algoneurodystrophy was reported in 5 cases with a single case of haemarthrosis. A net ICRS score improvement was observed with a mean increasing from 54% to 74% on the follow-up visit. Most of patients were satisfied or very satisfied (82.9%). The elements of good prognosis recognized in our study included: a mean time between symptom onset and surgery of less of 18 months, having deep lesions with a diameter less than 02 cm and having lesions in the internal condyle. The treatment of cartilage loss is necessarily based on the correction of its direct and indirect causes namely the morphotype, the laxity and meniscus capital. No consensus in the decision-making was reached and no one could confirm the superiority of a technique in relation to the other but we can say that cartilage defect which sizes from 2 to 4 cm² may be the best indication for mosaic arthroplasty.

[Neurogenic paraosteopathy of the elbow: results of surgical arthrolysis (a retrospective study of 37 cases)]. / La para-ostéopathie neurogène du coude: résultat de l'arthrolyse chirurgicale (étude rétrospective de 37 cas).

Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathies are ectopic ossifications which develop near the joints. They are a process of neo-ectopic osteogenesis occurring after central or peripheral neurological lesions, in some types of comas (oxygen carbon intoxication, prolonged sedation) and following peripheral traumas including burns. They inolve almost exclusively the large proximal joints of the limbs. Elbow is the second area of involvment. The purpose of our study was to analyze the results of surgical arthrolysis in 37 patients with elbow stiffness due to neurogenic osteoarthropathy of the elbow. We conducted a retrospective study of 35 patients and 37 elbows over a 25-year period. Preoperative assessment included clinical and radiological examination. Since 2003 the patients had undergone systematic elbow arthroscopy. The gold standard surgical treatment was arthrolysis. All patients underwent functional rehabilitation protocol. Outcomes were analyzed after a mean 5-year follow-up period (6 months - 10 years). Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathy was caused by head injury with coma in 58.8% of cases. Preoperative assessment showed bending stiffness in the majority of cases (88%), severe or very severe in 64.7% of cases. Intraoperatively functional elbow range of motion from -30° to 130° was obtained in 61.7% of cases and in 41% of cases in the long term. Ulnar nerve liberation was satisfactory in 92% of cases. No postoperative instability of the elbow was reported. Two patients with definitive neurological lesions had osteoma recurrence. The results were equivalent regardless surgical delay. Surgical arthrolysis is an effective treatment for neurogenic osteomas of the elbow.

[Turrett's exostoses: about 35 casesk]. / Les exostoses de Turrett's: à propos de 35 cas.

We conducted a retrospective study of 35 patients with subungual exostosis of the hallux, also known as Turrett's exostosis, in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the Senior Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis over the period between 1995 and 2015. We here summarize the outcomes of patients treated for this disease. The average age of patients was 29 years, with a sex ratio of 1.7. The median consultation time was six months. This delay in consultation was caused by a diagnostic error due to clinical picture resemblance with ingrown nail. Diagnosis was always confirmed by frontal and profile X-ray of the involved hallux. Treatment was based on total resection of the exostosis either through large ungual window or by latero-ungual approach. Anatomo-pathological examination was performed systematically. It allowed to confirm the benignity of the disease in all cases. All patients recovered and returned to their previous activity, on average, in 2 months. No patient had a recurrence.