Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Background: Isolated tuberculosis (TB) of the patella is an extremely rare presentation of osteoarticular TB, often misdiagnosed as benign or neoplastic lesions.

Case Report: We describe a 21-year-old male college student with a solitary expansile lytic lesion of the patella mimicking a giant cell tumor. Core needle biopsy was inconclusive, leading to open curettage with bone cement filling. Histopathology and CBNAAT confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient had no systemic or pulmonary involvement and was successfully managed with antitubercular therapy (ATT) and physiotherapy.

Conclusion: Even in the absence of systemic features, isolated skeletal TB should be considered in any lytic lesion of the patella in endemic regions. Cement reconstruction after curettage can provide stability and aid local control.