Primary Extrapulmonary Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis of the Sternum without HIV Infection

Abstract

Skeletal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for about 9% of all TB cases. Tuberculosis of the sternum is not a common presentation. The case of primary multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB of the sternum is even rare. So far no such case has been reported in the medical literature. Herein, we present the very first case of primary extrapulmonary MDR TB of the sternum in a 21-year-old immunocompetent Indian female who presented with chest pain and an increased swelling over the anterior chest with an intermittently discharging sinus. She was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis of the sternum without the active pulmonary disease. Conservative management with oral multidrug antitubercular therapy (ATT) completely cured the patient.

Keywords

• antitubercular therapy
• history taking
• osteomyelitis
• sternum