Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Nontuberculous mycobacterial bursitis and arthritis of the shoulder

  • CASE REPORT
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

 A 56-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed septic arthritis and bursitis of the left shoulder due to an atypical mycobacterium, M. xenopi. Plain radiography, ultrasound (US), and MRI were performed. Articular disease by tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacteria have similar presentations, clinically as well as radiologically, and have to be differentiated from other chronic bacterial or fungal infections, pigmented villonodular synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hemophilia, and synovial chondromatosis. Although atypical mycobacterial involvement of the skeleton and soft tissues is relatively uncommon, its incidence is increasing, as is the incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in western countries. The triad of Phemister is reemphasized, and the US and MRI findings are demonstrated. The definitive diagnosis has to be made by culturing biopsied synovium or synovial fluid.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rutten, M., van den Berg, J., van den Hoogen, F. et al. Nontuberculous mycobacterial bursitis and arthritis of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol 27, 33–35 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560050332

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002560050332

Navigation