TITLE:
Olecranon Bone Tumor Complicated by Ulnar Nerve Paresis Revealing Tuberculous Osteitis—About a Case
AUTHORS:
Abdoul Kadri Moussa, Mahamadou Diallo, Kalifa Coulibaly, Layes Touré, Mamadou Bassirou Traoré, Tata Touré, Adegné Togo
KEYWORDS:
Osteitis, Tuberculosis, Olecranon, Evolution, Mali
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
13,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The localization of bone tuberculosis at the level of the olecranon is
rare and can pose a problem of differential diagnosis with a tumoral affection.
Only the biopsy allows the diagnosis of certainty. The goal was to report our
first case to do a review of the literature. Clinical Observation: This was a 64-year-old patient who consulted 2 years after the onset of
symptoms for swelling and mechanical pain in the left elbow. On clinical
examination there was a firm consistent mass measuring 6/4 cm in diameter, not
very painful and hot on the posterior surface of the left elbow, accompanied by
paresthesias in the territory of the ulnar nerve associated with partial
functional impotence of the left forearm with little altered general condition.
The X-rays of the left elbow showed extensive bone lysis of the olecranon with
fracture of the base of the olecranon. The CT Scan of the elbow performed
showed osteolysis of the olecranon with extensive bone reactions at the distal
end of the humerus. The biopsy carried out with histological examination
concluded with an aspect of tuberculous osteitis and the culture came back
sterile. A curettage was performed associated with anti-tuberculosis treatment
for 12 months as well as the placement of a posterior splint. The evolution at
9 months was unsatisfactory with persistence of paresis and stiffness of the
elbow. Conclusion: Tuberculous osteitis of the olecranon can simulate a malignant tumor
with non-specific signs of bone tuberculosis. Only the anatomopathological
examination is definitive for the diagnosis. The treatment is
multidisciplinary. Orthopedic evolution is difficult to predict.