Isolated Scapular Spine Involvement: A Rare Presentation of Osteoarticular Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an endemic disease worldwide, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Most common locations for osteoarticular TB are the vertebral column and the hip. TB of flat bones, such as the scapula, is an extremely rare entity.

The following case report describes a rare case of TB of the spine of the scapula in a young adult presenting with vague pain over the right scapular region and an osteolytic lesion over the spine of the scapula. After a suspicious magnetic resonance imaging scan, the diagnosis was finally confirmed on biopsy and culture. The patient was successfully managed with a four drug antitubercular regimen.

Diagnosis is often delayed due to a lack of awareness among clinicians and a nonspecific radiological picture. TB should be a differential diagnosis in isolated scapular pain, particularly in an endemic region, and biopsy may be helpful in cases of doubtful radiological presentation.