Primary tuberculous myositis of sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscle: A report of three cases

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form of tuberculosis reported in India. Primary tuberculous myositis is a rare entity and involvement of sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscle together has rarely been reported in literature. This diagnosis is very frequently missed due to its rarity and atypical clinical presentation, which leads to delay in treatment. A high suspicion index and a prompt intervention is a must for such a rare clinical presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. This entity should be considered as differential diagnosis for the neck swellings. Here we present a report of three cases of primary tubercular pyomyositis of sternocleidomastoid muscle with one case involving anterior scalene as well.