Study on Skeletal Tuberculosis in Past 20 Years

We investigated 24 patients with skeletal tuberculosis in the past 20 years. The age range was from 24 to 86 years (average: 57.2 years). Half of the patients (12 cases) were tuberculous spondylitis. Of nine cases excluding the tuberculous spondylitis cases, three were tenosynovitis and two were psoitis. There was no tuberculous arthritis of the hip and knee joint. Tuberculin reaction was considered to be useful for screening inspection in the diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis because it was positive in 70% of these patients. If swelling without heat or redness that does not react to antibiotics is seen, tuberculosis should be suspected.