Clinical Observation on Skeletal Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT

In this study, 47 cases of tuberculous osteitis treated at Severance Hospital from March 1968 to February 1978 were analysed clinically and the following results were obtained. 1) The sexual incidence was 23 ma1e and 24 female patients. 2) There were 18 cases in the pediatric group and 29 cases in the adult group. 3) The most frequent site was rib (36%), followed by the trochanter of femur (21%) and the proximal portion of humerus (15%). 4) Thirty-seven percent of the cases showed some form of pulmonary tuberculous infiltration. 5) Erythrocyte sedimention rate was increased in 33 cases (70%). 6) The condition was managed medically with triple antituberculosis drugs and surgically with curettage, curettage with bone graft, and partial resection of ribs, etc.