Tubercular Osteomyelitis Clavicle: A Case Report

Osteomyelitis of the clavicle is a rare entity particularly in adults. Most infective lesions of the clavicle are traumatic and are not difficult to diagnose. Nontraumatic clavicular lesions, on the other hand, are rare and are difficult to diagnosis. It can also occur as a complication of head and neck surgery and subclavian catheter placement.

We describe this case in a 61-year-old male who presented with a discharging sinus since 2 years at his left shoulder tip with purulent discharge. Clinicoradiologically, patient was diagnosed as a case of pyogenic osteomyelitis of the lateral end of the clavicle. However, biopsy proved it to be a tubercular osteomyelitis.

Discharging sinus along with secondary infection made diagnosis difficult and delayed appropriate treatment. Thus, as skeletal tuberculosis (TB) can mimic any bony pathology, TB has to be included in the differential diagnosis especially at unusual sites.