Sternoclavicular Tuberculosis: An Unusual Presentation

Abstract

Extra pulmonary tuberculosis is on the rise worldwide, and younger patients, are females. And people from Asia and Africa are at high risk. Sternoclavicular TB is extremely rare, even in countries that have a high prevalence of TB. It can be in the absence of pulmonary TB. It has a varied clinical presentation. Painless chest wall swelling can be the presenting symptom of sternoclavicular diagnosis. Ultrasonography and high-resolution computed tomography can identify the nature of the lesion and the extent of bone involvement. Aspiration from the swelling or histopathology examination is mandatory for diagnosis. Caseous necrosis is diagnostic of TB. Detection of acid-fast bacilli in smears or tissue or molecular methods is required for definitive diagnosis. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis. The treatment of thoracic TB is the subject of controversy. Anti-tubercular drugs are the mainstay of treatment. Surgical intervention is basically for flattening cold abscesses and removing infected tissue, including affected bones and cartilage.

Keywords: Aspiration; clavicle; sternum; tuberculosis.