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Anterior chest wall tuberculous abscess: a case report
Theodossis S Papavramidis1, Vassilis N Papadopoulos, Antonis Michalopoulos
11st Propedeutic Surgical Clinic, Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki, A,H,E,P,A, University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. papavramidis@hotmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|November 28, 2007
Summary
This case highlights a rare instance of chest wall tuberculosis (TB) in an immunocompetent individual. Early suspicion and diagnosis are crucial for managing this uncommon form of extrapulmonary TB.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes.
- Musculoskeletal TB occurs in 1-3% of TB patients; chest wall TB is 1-5% of musculoskeletal cases.
- Extrapulmonary TB is increasingly seen in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of tuberculous abscess in the anterior chest wall.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges of musculoskeletal TB, especially in immunocompetent patients.
- To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent bone and joint destruction.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 56-year-old immunocompetent male.
- Clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment of an anterior chest wall tuberculous abscess.
- Review of literature on musculoskeletal and chest wall TB.
Main Results:
- A fifty-six-year-old immunocompetent man presented with an anterior chest wall tuberculous abscess.
- The case is rare due to the abscess location and the patient's immunocompetent status.
- Diagnosis required a high index of suspicion, combining indolent symptoms, positive tuberculin skin test, and radiographic findings.
Conclusions:
- Musculoskeletal tuberculous infection diagnosis remains challenging, necessitating clinical suspicion.
- Confirmation requires positive culture or histologic evidence.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital to avert severe bone and joint damage from TB.
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