Septic arthritis due to non-tuberculous mycobacterium without effusion

Septic arthritis is an important but difficult to make diagnosis that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Joint effusion is generally accepted to be a highly sensitive finding in septic arthritis, however final diagnosis requires synovial fluid studies. Without a significant joint effusion, it is difficult to obtain synovial fluid. In this case report, we describe the presentation and diagnosis of septic arthritis in the first MTP due to mycobacterium chelonae in a 69  year old man with a history of gout and immunosuppression due to a heart transplant.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research