A Case of Uncommon Tuberculosis Infection Involving the Sternoclavicular Joint.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, accounting for 1-2% of musculoskeletal tuberculosis cases.
• It often presents insidiously without systemic symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
• A multimodal diagnostic approach is essential due to atypical presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic challenges of sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis.
• To present a case report of a patient with sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis.
• To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 77-year-old woman with localized clavicle pain and swelling.
• Diagnostic workup included chest computed tomography (CT) and biopsy.
• Microbiologic tests confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Main Results:

• Chest CT revealed a lytic lesion and soft tissue mass at the left clavicle.
• Biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation and positive acid-fast bacilli cultures.
• The patient responded well to a 12-month course of anti-tuberculous therapy.

Conclusions:

• Diagnosis of sternoclavicular joint tuberculosis is challenging and requires a multimodal approach.
• A high index of suspicion is crucial, particularly in patients with tuberculosis exposure risk factors.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy ensure successful treatment outcomes.