Arthroscopic operations in knee joint with early-stage tuberculosis

Tuberculous arthritis of native joints - a systematic review and European Bone and Joint Infection Society workgroup report

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the existing published data on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) arthritis involving native joints in adults aged 18 years and older. Methods: This study was performed in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Results: The systematic review of the literature yielded 20 data sources involving 573 patients from nine countries. There was considerable variation amongst the studies in terms of the approach to diagnosis and management. The diagnosis was mostly made by microbiological tissue culture. Medical management involved a median of 12 months of anti-tubercular treatment (interquartile range, IQR, of 8-16; range of 4-18 months). The duration of preoperative treatment ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. Surgery was performed on 87 % of patients and varied from arthroscopic debridement to complete synovectomies combined with total joint arthroplasty. The mean follow-up time of all studies was 26 months (range of 3-112 months). Recurrence rates were reported in most studies, with an overall average recurrence rate of approximately 7.4 % (35 of 475 cases). Conclusions: The current literature on TB arthritis highlights the need for the establishment of standardized guidelines for the confirmation of the diagnosis. Further research is needed to define the optimal approach to medical and surgical treatment. The role of early debridement in active TB arthritis needs to be explored further. Specifically, comparative studies are required to address questions around the use of medical treatment alone vs. in combination with surgical intervention.

Two-stage TKA for tuberculosis septic arthritis of the knee masquerading as pigmented villonodular synovitis: A case report

A 25-year-old female presented with left knee pain following arthroscopic synovectomy for presumed pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated tricompartmental arthritic changes. She underwent a two-stage procedure first involving antibiotic spacer implantation, followed 1 week later by spacer removal and definitive total knee arthroplasty (TKA) once initial intraoperative culture results were negative. Subsequent cultures confirmed tuberculosis septic arthritis. Repeat evaluation 1 year postoperatively showed no complications and patient satisfaction with left knee function. This is a unique case report in the United States describing 1-year outcomes following staged TKA for tuberculosis septic arthritis masquerading as PVNS.

Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis for End-Stage Tuberculosis of the Ankle: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Surgical treatment for end-stage ankle joint tuberculosis (TB) has rarely been reported. This study followed cases treated by arthroscopic arthrodesis for ankle joint TB to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the clinic. Patients who underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for ankle joint TB between April 11, 2010, and December 31, 2016, were followed. Their diagnoses were confirmed by bacterial culture or pathological examination. During arthroscopy, tissue samples were first obtained to further confirm the diagnosis. Then the necrotic tissue, hyperplasia of synovial tissue, and exfoliated cartilage were removed. Ankle joint arthrodesis was performed if the area of articular cartilage damage was >2 cm². Continued nutritional support and standardized anti-TB drug treatment were given after surgery. Follow-up measurements included visual analogue scale score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and radiographic imaging. All 9 patients in this study, with an average age of 54 (range 37 to 68) years, were followed. The mean follow-up duration was 55.44 ± 31.15 (range 24 to 96) months. There were significant differences in the visual analogue scale scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate between before treatment and 18 months postoperatively (p < .05). All patients (100%) showed union at 18 ± 4 weeks. Arthroscopic treatment for ankle joint TB has the advantages of minor trauma and low complications. It can be used to accurately obtain samples from specific areas of TB for further diagnosis. According to the degree of articular cartilage damage, the surgeon can determine whether to perform arthrodesis. Thorough debridement of necrotic tissue and residual articular cartilage on the fusion surface can improve the rate of ankle fusion.

Analysis of the early clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement in the treatment of shoulder tuberculosis

Background

Due to atypical clinical symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose joint tuberculosis infection, which often results in misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. It is easy to cause joint disability. And there are few reports of using arthroscopy to diagnose and treat shoulder tuberculosis. This case series aims to introduce the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of shoulder tuberculosis.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with shoulder tuberculosis from September 2013 to February 2019 were included (10 males, 19 females; age range from 22 to 69; the average age is 37.6 years). All patients underwent arthroscopic lesion debridement, with preoperative and postoperative regular use of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and streptomycin quadruple anti-tuberculosis drugs. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded before and at the last follow-up. The shoulder function was evaluated according to the visual analogue scoring method (visual analogue scale, VAS) pain score and Constant score.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were followed up from 12 months to 2 years, and the average follow-up time was 15.7 months. The pathological diagnosis of all patients after surgery was shoulder tuberculosis. No serious complications were found at the last follow-up, and the incision healed well. VAS pain score, Constant score, ESR, and CRP at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

On the basis of the standard use of anti-tuberculosis drugs before and after surgery, shoulder arthroscopy is used to treat early and mid-term shoulder tuberculosis, which can be diagnosed by direct observation under the arthroscope and postoperative pathological examination. It has the advantages of thorough lesion removal, minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, and reliable clinical effect.

Tuberculosis of the knee: A pitfalls in clinical settings (A case report and literature review)

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We herein present a case of an unusual manifestation of knee tuberculosis. Its slowly progressive disease characteristics after being ignored for 5 years interest the authors to report this case report. Without doing arthoplasty, synovectomy followed by 1 year of anti-tuberculosis treatment give positive improvement of the patient where he can continue his job and daily activities as before he got the disease 5 years ago. Slight deformity resulted in muscle stiffness may be restorated after few months of physical rehabilitation.

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Further monitoring is needed anually for assessing the long term complications of knee tuberculosis, including early secondary osteoarthritis.

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The place of conducting the case report in Indonesia, mainly in Sumatera Utara. Thus, we hope that the manuscript fits the scope of International journal for Surgery Case Report. The article is original, unpublished, and not being considered for publication elsewhere.

Introduction

Tuberculosis of the knee is a rare form of diseases associated with tuberculosis that is frequently misdiagnosed as malignancy or bacterial infections. Its symptomatology might be identical to other conditions; thus finally turns the clinician misdiagnosed of the patient circumstances.

Presentation of the case

A 31-year-old male patient presented a unilateral knee swelling, reddish, warmth, pain, with a limited range of movement and then diagnosed with tuberculosis of the knee, histopathologically confirmed following surgical removal, including synovectomy without arthroplasty procedure. Furthermore, the patients underwent the administration of an anti-tuberculous drug regiment for a 1-year period. There was clinical improvement attained afterward after the prompt management since the initiation of therapy progressively.

Discussion

This case is unique due to the unspecific clinical manifestations of the disease, which contributed to delay diagnosis. Further, either the patients and his parents still had a lack of knowledge according to his condition. Opposite to the recent studies, there was an excellent outcome after simple surgical procedure, including synovectomy without arthroplasty followed by 1 year of anti-tuberculous drug.

Conclusion

Knee tuberculosis is a rare disease that often misdiagnosed as bacterial infections or malignancy. Mimicking clinical manifestations needs further surgical approach followed by histopathology examination to diagnose this disease. Early recognition and prompt treatment were crucially required to avoid the permanent limitation of movement that could affect the patient’s quality of life. In this case, a lack of knowledge of the patient and his family significantly contributes to the delayed diagnosis.

[Application of internal and external lysis combined with Ilizarov external fixation technology for severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity in children]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of internal and external lysis combined with Ilizarov external fixation technology for severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity in children.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was made on 12 children (12 knees) with severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity who were treated with internal and external lysis and Ilizarov external fixation between August 2012 and January 2017. There were 9 boys and 3 girls with an age of 3-12 years (mean, 8.4 years). There were 8 cases of tuberculosis, 3 cases of haemophilia A, and 1 case of residual deformity after extensive hemangioma drug injection. The disease duration ranged from 5 months to 4 years, with an average of 20.3 months. The degree of knee contracture was (67.42±23.30)°, and the range of motion of knee was (38.33±14.98)°. The preoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was 78.42±15.57. The complication was observed after operation, and the degree of knee contracture, range of motion, and WOMAC score at 3 months and 1 year after operation were recorded and compared with those before operation.

RESULTS

The operations completed successfully in all children. All the 12 cases were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 14.5 months). All incisions healed by first intention after operation. The knee function of all children improved significantly and the weight-bearing walking function of the lower limbs restored. The degree of knee contracture, range of motion, and WOMAC score were significantly improved at 3 months and 1 year after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between 3 months and 1 year after operation (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

For severe knee pathological flexion contracture deformity in children, application of internal and external lysis combined with Ilizarov external fixation has advantages, such as small trauma, rapid recovery, and early postoperative knee function training, and good effectiveness.

Arthroscopic management for early-stage tuberculosis of the ankle

Background

Due to atypical clinical presentation, wide use of antibiotics, and lack of specificity in diagnosis, diagnosis of tubercular (TB) infection in joints is increasingly difficult, and misdiagnosis is common. The use of arthroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of early-stage ankle TB has rarely been reported. This case series intended to present the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic management for early-stage ankle TB.

Methods

Fifteen patients with chronic synovitis of the ankle and suspicious cause of early-stage ankle TB underwent arthroscopic treatment from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2016. These cases all failed to confirm diagnosis of TB by ankle arthrocentesis. They included seven males and eight females with an average age of 37.5 (8 to 70) in the study. Among them, five cases had history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and six had history of trauma. The procedure included synovial membrane biopsy and debridement. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic examination and culture. The treatment was combined with systemic anti-tuberculous drugs. Follow-up measurements included VAS score, AOFAS score, ESR, CRP, and MRI.

Results

After arthroscopic management, 13 cases confirmed TB by pathologic examination and culture, and two cases still remained clinically suspected TB; the rate of confirmed case was 87%. The incision healed well in all cases, and no serious complications were observed. There were significant differences in VAS scores, AOFAS scores, ESR, and CRP between before and after treatment (P < 0.01). Joint swelling disappeared or was relieved after 2 months in most patients. Ankle swelling and pain in one patient was improved after changing anti-tuberculous drugs. MRI suggested that all patients had effusion in the articular cavity, accompanied by bone edema of the distal tibia and talus before the treatment. After the surgery, the effusion was significantly reduced, and the signal of bone edema almost disappeared. No recurrent TB was found during the follow-ups.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic management for early-stage ankle TB is minimally invasive, safe, and reliable. It can easily obtain samples from specific area of TB for further confirmation of the diagnosis, while the debridement can also assist in local disease control. For cases of highly suspicious joint TB, arthroscopic biopsy and debridement after transient anti-TB treatment is recommended.

Level of evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13018-018-1048-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Failed Radiation Synovectomy in Diseased Knee Joint with Missed Tuberculous Synovitis

The authors in this case report highlight the poor outcome of radiation synovectomy (RSV) for repeated knee joint effusion in a patient with histopathologically proven nonspecific arthritis. There was partial response initially following RSV but later follow-up showed recurrence in joint effusion with limited and painful mobility of the knee joint. Subsequent surgical synovectomy and histopathological examination showed it to be tubercular in origin. Thus in a country endemic for tuberculosis, an alternative infective etiology should also be kept in mind before subjecting the patient to RSV.

Knee arthrodesis using a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed cannulated screws for the treatment of end-stage tuberculosis of the knee

Background

The treatment of end-stage tuberculosis (TB) of the knee remains a significant clinical challenge, and clinical data are lacking. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the outcome of single-stage knee arthrodesis with a unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated screws for the treatment of end-stage TB.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with end-stage knee TB were treated by single-stage arthrodesis. All patients underwent open debridement and the insertion of a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed cannulated screws and received systemic antitubercular therapy. Clinical evaluations and radiographic analyses were performed after an average follow-up duration of 5.5 years.

Results

The mean time to radiographic bone fusion was 5.6 months. Primary full union was achieved in 25 patients (96.2 %) within 8 months, and the remaining patients achieved bone fusion at 14 months postoperatively. The mean post-operative alignment was 5.4° valgus and 12.5° flexion. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 2.8 cm. The mean VAS score improved from 67.3 before surgery to 16.2 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01), and the mean WOMAC score improved from 58.8 to 13.7 (P < 0.01). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein level returned to normal in 25 patients by 3 months postoperatively. No recurrence in the target knee was noted.

Conclusions

Single-stage arthrodesis with a unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated screws can be regarded as efficacious for the treatment of end-stage knee TB. Additional studies are necessary to confirm the findings of our study.

Total knee arthroplasty for the management of joint destruction in tuberculous arthritis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience to clarify the suggestion that there should be a significant disease-free interval before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine the correct timing of surgery for reconstruction of the joint destruction in patients suffering from tuberculous arthritis.

METHODS

Twelve patients with advanced joint destruction and tuberculous arthritis of the knee with recent onset were reviewed in this study. The time interval from our diagnosis of active infection to arthroplasty averaged 4 ± 1.5 months. Histopathology of the biopsy specimens revealing granulomatous lesions, including epithelioid histiocytes surrounded by lymphocytes, confirmed the diagnosis of each patient. A primary knee prosthesis was performed in seven knees. In five knees, there was severe bone loss after the extensive debridement of the entire joint, and thereafter, revision prosthesis was preferred to preserve the joint line. Patients were given post-operative antituberculous treatment for a total of 1 year, whereas for three patients, whose erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values remained above normal by the sixth month, the chemotherapy was continued for up to 18 months. The Knee Society TKA roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system was used for radiological evaluation of the knees. Clinical evaluation of the knees was done preoperatively and at the time of the most recent follow-up using the American Knee Society Scoring System.

RESULTS

Within the average follow-up period of 6.1 ± 1.8 years, no reactivation of tuberculous infection was found in any of the patients. ESR was normal, less than 20 mm/h, after a mean time of 5.5 ± 2.0 months. The CRP was normal, less than 0.8 mg/dl, after a mean time of 4.6 ± 1.3 months. At the most recent follow-up, the average knee score improved from 32.4 ± 19.4 to 83.4 ± 14.0 points (p < 0.05), and the average function score improved from 33.3 ± 11.9 to 86.6 ± 7.7 points (p < 0.05). Ten knees showed good integrity, and no radiolucent lines were found in the bone-prosthesis interface in relation to any component. Radiolucent lines were apparent on the tibial side in two knees. They were less than 1 mm thick and non-progressive, and clinically, there was no evidence of loosening of the component. Culture specimens were positive for five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TKA is a safe procedure for tuberculous arthritis with recent onset providing symptomatic relief, functional improvement and early return to activity when performed in correct time. A long disease-free interval should not be a prerequisite for arthroplasty. Wide surgical debridement is the mainstay to eradicate the disease, and post-operative antituberculous chemotherapy controls the residual foci.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Analysis and therapeutic schedule of the postoperative recurrence of bone tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to analyze the main reasons that lead to the failure of bone tuberculosis (TB) surgery and the efficacy of reoperation.

METHODS

A total of 3,000 cases of bone TB patients were examined retrospectively. Of these, 180 cases had recurrence, including 135 cases of spinal TB and 45 cases of limb TB. Preoperative indicators of duration of anti-TB chemotherapy, nutritional conditions, temperature conditions and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and medication time of postoperative and recurrence were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Of all 180 cases with reoperation, 176 cases were cured, and four paralyzed patients were symptomatically improved. The causes of postoperative recurrence of bone TB were relatively complex. Efficacy of reoperation was evaluated. Shorter chemotherapy duration, long-term illness, poor health, a higher body temperature, and an accelerated ESR are likely to increase the risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the operation failure, careful analysis of the failure reasons and the targeted reoperation can obtain satisfactory results, thereby avoiding the failure of the initial surgery.

Forked osteotomy arthroplasty for elbow tuberculosis: six years of follow-up

BACKGROUND

Elbow tuberculosis (TB) is not rare in China. Most patients are diagnosed when it is at an advanced stage and with bony ankylosis complications. For a developing country, such as China, it is important for there to be safe and cost-effective procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was designed to assess the effects of improved forked excision arthroplasty for treating elbow TB. There were 20 patients (average age, 48.45 years). For all patients, the preoperative diagnosis was elbow TB at an advanced stage. All patients underwent forked excision arthroplasty. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Mayo's elbow performance score (MEPS). Mean follow-up was at 74.4 months.

RESULTS

At the last follow-up, the mean postoperative MEPS was 83.7 compared with the preoperative MEPS of 20.25. Results of Mayo's elbow performance index were excellent in seven patients, good in 12 and fair in one, and none were poor. The range of elbow motion also improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

This study of forked elbow excision arthroplasty has shown promising results for treating elbow TB. Most patients had ideal postoperative outcomes and exhibited painless elbow joints, with satisfactory functional recovery at medium-term follow-up. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Prosthetic knee infection in the young immigrant patient--do not forget tuberculosis!

Skeletal tuberculosis (TB) frequently masquerades as more common etiologies and can be difficult to diagnose. We describe a case of TB knee arthritis in a young Haitian-born woman in whom the diagnosis was not initially suspected, resulting in treatment with total knee arthroplasty that subsequently failed. A long course of medical and surgical therapies was then necessary to treat this patient. Issues in the diagnosis and management of TB in the native and prosthetic knee joint are presented.

Tuberculous arthritis of the knee joint mimicking pigmented villonodular synovitis

Tuberculous arthritis is difficult to diagnose early because of its atypical insidious clinical manifestations and non-specific imaging findings. Specifically, monoarticular tuberculosis of the knee may mimic pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). The present report describes a young patient with tuberculous arthritis of the knee. Proper diagnosis was delayed due to magnetic resonance imaging findings, such as hemosiderin deposits and a nodular mass around the knee joint, suggesting the diffuse type of PVNS. These findings suggest that the first step in the diagnosis of tuberculous knee arthritis is to have a high index of suspicion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Use of amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test (Gen-probe Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) in the diagnosis of tubercular synovitis and early arthritis of knee joint

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of knee joint tuberculosis, especially in early stages of synovial disease, has more often been based on clinicoradiological suspicion, with no single test claiming to be a dependable rapid diagnostic test with high sensitivity and specificity. Nuclear amplification tests in vogue like the polymerase chain reaction have shown variable sensitivity and false positivity rates in various studies. We evaluated the role of Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct Test (AMTDT) or Genprobe in the diagnosis of knee joint tuberculosis in early, especially, early synovitis and arthritis cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty two patients of suspected knee joint tuberculosis were subjected to diagnostic arthroscopy during the study period. The synovial fluid and tissue were subjected to mycobacterial culture, histopathology, and AMTDT. A comparative analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of this new test with culture and histopathology was done and the time taken for reporting was calculated for each test.

RESULTS

Out of 32 tissue samples, 8 were found to be positive with mycobacterial culture [Lowenstein Jensen (LJ)/Bactec], 11 were positive with histopathology, and 5 were found to positive with AMTDT. The sensitivity of AMTDT was found to be 62.5% and specificity was 100% with a P value of 0.083. The results were obtained earliest with AMTDT with a mean reporting time of 1.2 days, while the results of histopathology were obtained in a mean time of 6.8 days, BacT alert in 22.5 days, and conventional LJ medium culture results in 48.6 days.

CONCLUSION

AMTDT or Genprobe is a rapid diagnostic test for early diagnosis of tubercular arthritis, but has low sensitivity in knee joint tuberculosis. Nuclear amplification tests are still far from being a single promising alternative to conventional tests in cases of joint tuberculosis. Routine use of arthroscopic biopsies in all suspected cases is helpful in the early diagnosis of knee joint tuberculosis.

Cementless total hip arthroplasty for the management of tuberculosis coxitis

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis arthritis of the hip is a crippling disease and there is need for an effective and acceptable treatment for the hips with bone destruction. The aim of this report was to evaluate the efficacy of the diagnostic method for hip tuberculosis and clinical results of the patients to clarify the question of whether a total hip arthroplasty (THA) should be attempted on a patient with a current or previous infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine patients with active tuberculosis of the hip, treated by cementless THA, were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 43.4 years (range 22-72 years). Laboratory tests of all the patients revealed high erthrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and C-reactive proteins. Plain radiographs showed bone destruction with joint space narrowing in all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed fluid within the joint in five patients. Two patients had associated pulmonary tuberculosis. To confirm the clinico-radiological diagnosis, an open biopsy was performed for histopathological examinations of all the hips. Tuberculosis of the hips was treated with primary cementless THA, followed by postoperative antituberculous medication for 1 year. The inflamed soft tissues and the destroyed bones were completely resected and curetted out at the time of operation.

RESULTS

At the final evaluation, the mean Harris Hip Score improved to 94.8 (range 90-98; P = 0.003). ESR became normal, less than 15 mm/h, with a mean time of 4 months (range 2-9 months). The C-reactive protein was normal, less than 0.8 mg/dl, after a mean time of 3 months (range 1-7 months). With an average follow-up of 5.6 years (range 2-8 years), no reactivation of tuberculosis infection was found in each patient. All of the femoral stems and acetabular cups were radiologically stable and demonstrated signs of bone ingrowth at the final follow-up. All histopathologic examinations showed granulomatous lesions including epitheloid histiocytes surrounded by lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Cementless THA can be safely performed in advanced tuberculosis of the hip for providing symptomatic relief and functional improvement of the hips. Complete curettage and resection of the infected tissue and postoperative antituberculous chemotherapy with a minimum of 1-year duration are very important in preventing reactivations.