Multiple cystic tuberculosis of bone

Cystic tuberculosis of bone is an uncommon but by no means rare disease. It is often confused with syphilis, pyogenic osteomyelitis, malignant tumor, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, eosinophile granuloma and other disorders which affect the skeleton. The diagnosis depends, first, on familiarity with the condition; second on the histologic features of material removed by biopsy; and, finally, on the demonstration of tubercle bacilli by guinea pig inoculation or by culture in the purulent discharge or in the excised tissues of the sinus. A report of an exemplary case is presented.