Musculoskeletal tuberculosis: A diagnostic approach

Abstract

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis constitutes 3 percent of extra pulmonary secondary tuberculosis predominantly involving the spine. The variations in its presentation and unclear symptoms make diagnosis difficult in early period. The normal lab values like ESR, TLC, DLC and no clear history of previous pulmonary infection makes the picture unclear and delays the diagnosis. Present work is the overview of the presentation of various musculoskeletal presentations, efficacy of BCG vaccination, time delay in diagnosis, laboratory parameters, x rays and other radiological changes etc. The reliability of the various lab procedures like AFB stain, histopathology, tuberculosis bacteria culture and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) has also been overviewed.