Combined Pyogenic and Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Clavicle: A Case Report

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the clavicle accounts for 1-3% of cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis. It presents with non-specific symptoms and may have superadded infections with pyogenic organisms, requiring a high degree of suspicion to adequately diagnose and initiate appropriate treatment.

We describe a case of a 35-year-old male with osteolytic clavicular lesion and abscess in the supraclavicular fossa. Tissue diagnosis revealed tuberculous osteomyelitis with superadded infection with Staphylococcus aureus. He was managed with debridement and anti-tubercular therapy.

A high degree of suspicion is required to adequately test and diagnose the cause of osteomyelitis of the clavicle, in the absence of a predisposing event, as staphylococcal and tuberculous infection can present simultaneously.