The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 36, Issue 4 , Pages 342-344, May 2009

Sternal Tuberculosis

  • Ali Mohammadi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC
    • ,
  • John M. Howell, MD, FACEP

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint Address: John M. Howell, md, facep, INOVA Fairfax Hospital Emergency Department, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042

Received 16 June 2005; received in revised form 30 January 2007; accepted 11 February 2007. published online 05 November 2007.

Abstract 

Tuberculosis is a public health problem worldwide. Between 19% and 43% of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tubercular sternal osteomyelitis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis. Tuberculous sternal osteomyelitis manifests with fever, weight loss, and chest wall lesions. Computed tomography (CT) scan defines the extent of the thoracic extension, and standard microbiologic methods diagnose this entity. Four-drug anti-tuberculous therapy is effective. The authors report a case of tuberculous osteomyelitis of the sternum not associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Keywords: tuberculosis, sternum, osteomyelitis

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PII: S0736-4679(07)00415-5

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.06.017

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 36, Issue 4 , Pages 342-344, May 2009

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