Tuberculosis of the greater trochanter. A report of eight cases.

The clinical details of eight patients who have been treated for tuberculosis ofthe greater trochanter during the last 15 years are presented. Their average age was 56 years. In every case the diagnosis was not made for some time, partly because of the vagueness of the symptoms and partly because the surgeon seemed unaware that tuberculosis could occur at this site. In treatment it is recommended that the use of specific antituberculous drugs should be combined with surgical excision of all necrotic tissue and closure of the wound over an irrigation-suction drain system through which streptomycin is instilled.