Rare Presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mimicking Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is primarily known to affect the lungs with cavitary lesions and enlarged lymph nodes as the first telltale sign. However, if the bacteria spread to extrapulmonary areas such as the bones, and lack lymphadenopathy, then the differential diagnosis may become misleading. We present a case of a 68-year-old male patient with a chief complaint of chronic left hip pain upon which computer tomography identified lytic lesions on the left hip. Given the mildly elevated prostate-specific antigen with a family history of prostate cancer, a bone biopsy was warranted. The biopsy revealed non-caseating granulomas and the DNA probe identified the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. This case signifies that atypical presentations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may mimic other diagnoses and more invasive techniques such as a biopsy may be necessary.