Sternal tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a public health problem worldwide. Between 19% and 43% of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tubercular sternal osteomyelitis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis. Tuberculous sternal osteomyelitis manifests with fever, weight loss, and chest wall lesions. Computed tomography (CT) scan defines the extent of the thoracic extension, and standard microbiologic methods diagnose this entity. Four-drug anti-tuberculous therapy is effective. The authors report a case of tuberculous osteomyelitis of the sternum not associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.