Granulomatous infections of bones and joints.

Infections of bone or joints that present histologically as granulomas may be grouped together, include both bacterial and fungal etiologies. These infections are uncommonly encountered. Hence, there is rarely a standardized approach to the establishment of the diagnosis or the choice of therapy. From a practical standpoint, it is useful to maintain this classification, which is based on the histologic appearance, because if the frozen section shows a granuloma at the time of open biopsy, appropriate studies may be initiated.