A Rare Case of Poncet’s Arthritis presenting with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

One of the rare presentations of active pulmonary or even extra pulmonary tuberculosis is aseptic polyarthritis with the involvement of multiple large and small joints in the body with no evidence of direct bacillary invasion of the joints; a reactive constellation known as Poncet's disease.The condition is different from tuberculous arthritis which is usually monoarticular and is caused by direct tubercular involvement of the joint.Polyarthritis as a symptom of active tuberculosis can be easily misinterpreted for more common causes of polyarthritis such as rheumatological diseases that present similarly.We describe a case of Poncet's disease in a 70-years old lady whose reactive arthritis overshadowed other clinical symptoms of pulmonary TB resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.Anti TB treatment was initiated.Clinical remission occurred after two weeks and the diagnosis of Poncet's arthritis was established concluding that taking a thorough medical history as well as performing relevant examinations and investigations for possible TB especially in endemic areas will help expedite the diagnostic process even in absence of TB symptoms.