Tuberculous cold abscess of sternoclavicular joint: a case report

Abstract

Bone and joint tuberculosis is a serious medical problem; tuberculosis of sternoclavicular joint is rare. We present a case of a healthy 37-year old man with sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis. The subject presented with a three weeks history of left sternoclavicular joint painless swelling without fever or weight loss. He had no previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Laboratory testing revealed erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 70mm/hour, C-reactive protein of 30 mg/liter and a normal leucocyte count. Biopsy of the lesion showed caseous necrosis and pus culture revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He was treated with joint debridement and anti-tuberculous medications. Tuberculosis resolved completely but post-infection patients had residual joint arthritis. Tuberculosis may infect unusual joints such as the sternoclavicular joint.

Keywords

• swelling of sternoclavicular joint
• cold abscess
• tuberculosis
• extrapulmonary tuberculosis