Poncet's disease: a report of four cases and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Four cases of polyarthritis concomitant with active tuberculosis are reported. In three patients pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed by identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, and in another one tuberculous lymphadenitis was confirmed by excisional biopsy. In all patients arthritis resolved by tuberculosis treatment and did not recur during a follow up period of 18 months to 12 years. The findings of the presented cases are compatible with Poncet's disease [tuberculous reactive arthritis]