Magnetic resonance appearance of tuberculosis of the knee joint with ruptured Baker's cyst

Abstract

SUMMARY After the spine, the knee joint is the most commonly affected joint in skeletal tuberculosis. Baker's cyst is a rather rare complication of knee joint tuberculosis. The plain radiographic appearance of the tuberculous knee joint has been amply described. We present the magnetic resonance appearance of a tuberculous knee joint associated with a ruptured popliteal cyst.

Tuberculous Arthritis of Knee Presenting as Bakers Cyst: A Case Report

“…Cold abscesses, sinuses and constitutional symptoms are also common features [3] [4]. Baker's cyst is a rather rare complication of knee joint tuberculosis [5] [6].…”

“…Early metaphysical involvement, synovial thickening and articular changes are better demonstrated on MRI which has now become the mainstay of imaging in musculoskeletal tuberculosis [4] [9]. MRI and computerized tomography also help in outlining the baker's cyst and its contents when present; they also help in assessing rupture of the cyst [5] [8]. However imaging features are at times non-specific, but in the correct clinical context help in diagnosis of tuberculosis.…”

Disseminated Tuberculosis Presenting as Baker’s Cyst Infection

“…30% of skeletal TB involves the joints, the knee being the third most commonly affected site [2]. Bakers cyst infection with mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is relatively rare and only a few cases have been described in the English literature [3, 4]. …”