Abstract
We report a hemodialysis patient who developed wrist and elbow tuberculosis.
A 63-year-old male on hemodialysis for 2 years complained of swelling and pain in the left forearm on the shunt side. A subcutaneous abscess was detected in the left wrist. Since intermittent fever persisted and a bone X-ray examination 4 months after the onset showed bone destruction in the elbow and wrist, the lesion was curetted. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in this lesion. A simultaneous bone biopsy showed on deposition of amyloid or aluminum. After two weeks of treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin, the fever resolved, and the swelling and pain in the left forearm improved. Tuberculosis must be considered and included in the differential diagnosis in dialysis patients who exhibiting destructive articular lesions.
