Sacroiliitis indicative of sacroiliac tuberculosis in an immunocompetent adolescent: a case report

Sacroiliac tuberculosis is a rare pathology, diagnosed late with a variety of poorly localized symptoms. We report a case of tuberculous sacroiliitis in a 16-year-old immunocompetent patient. He consulted in the rheumatology department of the Bogodogo University Hospital first for acute inflammatory gluteal pain and then for low back pain. Computed Tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis revealed a lesion of the sacroiliac joint and an abscess of the ilio-psoas muscle. The definitive diagnosis was made after the bacteriological study of the puncture fluid of the abscess. Treatment was conservative based on anti-tuberculosis drugs and the course was favorable. The early diagnosis of tuberculous sacroiliitis remains a challenge for the rheumatologist and reduces the risk of complications in the patient.