Primary Tubercular Osteomyelitis of Sternum Presenting as a Chronic Ulcer over Suprasternal Notch: A Rare Case Report

Skeletal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for only 10% of extrapulmonary TB and predominantly involves the spine and joints. Sternal involvement in TB is a rare clinical occurrence. The clinical presentation is indolent with localized swelling and pain over the sternum. Other less common manifestations are discharging sinuses, ulcers, and bone deformities. Magnetic resonance imaging can delineate the extent of bone and soft tissue involvement well. The diagnosis is established by cytopathological or histopathological examination along with microbiological evidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Treatment with a standard anti-TB regimen provides excellent outcomes. Here, we report a case of primary tubercular osteomyelitis of the sternum that presented as a chronic ulcer over the suprasternal notch.