Case report - osteoarticular tuberculosis of the lateral cuneiform in a child

This case report presents a rare instance of osteoarticular tuberculosis involving the lateral cuneiform bone in a 9-year-old female patient. The patient presented with pain and swelling in the left foot for two months, difficulty in walking for one month. The X-ray findings of the left foot, showedsingle osteolytic lesion of the lateral cuneiform bone with associated soft tissue swelling, is highly indicative of osteoarticular tuberculosis. MRI findings revealed an intraosseous abscess involving lateral cuneiform bone, muscle edema and tenosynovitisalong FHL muscle, likely in favour of infective etiology. The diagnosis was confirmed through biopsy and the patient responded well to anti-tuberculosis therapy. This report highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis in atypical skeletal locations, especially in endemic regions (India).