Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report

This article reports and analyzes a case of postoperative tuberculosis infection in an 80-year-old female after total hip arthroplasty, which was misdiagnosed and mistreated due to imaging findings resembling a pseudo-bursa cyst. The patient had a history of right femoral neck fracture, underwent ri...

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Main Authors: Zhen Jia, Zhengqi Chang, Shiyong Wan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1612055/full
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author Zhen Jia
Zhengqi Chang
Shiyong Wan
author_facet Zhen Jia
Zhengqi Chang
Shiyong Wan
author_sort Zhen Jia
collection DOAJ
description This article reports and analyzes a case of postoperative tuberculosis infection in an 80-year-old female after total hip arthroplasty, which was misdiagnosed and mistreated due to imaging findings resembling a pseudo-bursa cyst. The patient had a history of right femoral neck fracture, underwent right total hip arthroplasty 4 years ago, and developed a lump on the posterior side of the right thigh 1 year ago. Initial MRI at another hospital diagnosed it as a pseudo-bursa cyst and underwent excision surgery, but recurred 2 months later. Upon admission, repeated fluid aspiration, biochemical analysis of the fluid (showing high protein, high specific gravity, and positive Rivalta test), PPD, and T-SPOT.TB tests all indicated active tuberculosis infection. Cheese-like necrosis and granuloma formation were found during surgery, confirming postoperative tuberculosis infection. The patient underwent local debridement surgery combined with 9 months of standard HRZE anti-tuberculosis treatment (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). Follow-up at 9 months showed the lump had disappeared, inflammatory markers returned to normal, and the prosthetic joint remained stable with improved joint function. This case highlights the challenge of tuberculosis infection being masked by common postoperative complications, emphasizing the importance of multidimensional examination and comprehensive diagnosis of diseased tissues to reduce misdiagnosis rates, improve treatment success rates, and enhance patient quality of life.
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spelling doaj-art-3f7890914c744c8bb54d705b91d0d5a42025-08-20T02:29:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-05-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.16120551612055Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case reportZhen Jia0Zhengqi Chang1Shiyong Wan2Department of Orthopedics, 961th Hospital of PLA, Qiqihaer, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, 961th Hospital of PLA, Qiqihaer, ChinaThis article reports and analyzes a case of postoperative tuberculosis infection in an 80-year-old female after total hip arthroplasty, which was misdiagnosed and mistreated due to imaging findings resembling a pseudo-bursa cyst. The patient had a history of right femoral neck fracture, underwent right total hip arthroplasty 4 years ago, and developed a lump on the posterior side of the right thigh 1 year ago. Initial MRI at another hospital diagnosed it as a pseudo-bursa cyst and underwent excision surgery, but recurred 2 months later. Upon admission, repeated fluid aspiration, biochemical analysis of the fluid (showing high protein, high specific gravity, and positive Rivalta test), PPD, and T-SPOT.TB tests all indicated active tuberculosis infection. Cheese-like necrosis and granuloma formation were found during surgery, confirming postoperative tuberculosis infection. The patient underwent local debridement surgery combined with 9 months of standard HRZE anti-tuberculosis treatment (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol). Follow-up at 9 months showed the lump had disappeared, inflammatory markers returned to normal, and the prosthetic joint remained stable with improved joint function. This case highlights the challenge of tuberculosis infection being masked by common postoperative complications, emphasizing the importance of multidimensional examination and comprehensive diagnosis of diseased tissues to reduce misdiagnosis rates, improve treatment success rates, and enhance patient quality of life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1612055/fullpostoperative tuberculosis infectionpseudo-bursa cysttotal hip arthroplastymisdiagnosiscase report
spellingShingle Zhen Jia
Zhengqi Chang
Shiyong Wan
Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
Frontiers in Surgery
postoperative tuberculosis infection
pseudo-bursa cyst
total hip arthroplasty
misdiagnosis
case report
title Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
title_full Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
title_fullStr Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
title_short Misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo-bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty: a case report
title_sort misdiagnosis of tuberculous infection as pseudo bursa cyst after total hip arthroplasty a case report
topic postoperative tuberculosis infection
pseudo-bursa cyst
total hip arthroplasty
misdiagnosis
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1612055/full
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AT zhengqichang misdiagnosisoftuberculousinfectionaspseudobursacystaftertotalhiparthroplastyacasereport
AT shiyongwan misdiagnosisoftuberculousinfectionaspseudobursacystaftertotalhiparthroplastyacasereport