Case Report: Multiple Metastatic Primary Multidrug-Resistant Tubercular Abscesses

This case report presents an atypical manifestation of tuberculosis in a 21-year-old male who presented with multiple subcutaneous swellings in the bilateral heel, left elbow, and base of the left third finger for the previous 6 months. The patient also experienced loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Despite initial suspicion of bacterial abscesses, antibiotics did not lead to significant improvement. Further investigations revealed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and findings suggestive of osteomyelitis on imaging. Gene Xpert testing confirmed multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative agent. The patient was prescribed a bedaquiline-based multidrug-resistant tuberculosis regimen, which resulted in reduction in swelling size. This report highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing complex cases of primary multiple tubercular abscesses, especially with drug-resistant strains, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management for successful outcomes.