Spontaneous fracture of the sternum and sternal tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis of the Sternum

“…Untreated, the condition may lead to mediastinitis, as happened in our second patient. We found from our experience and that of others 4,6,8 that conservative sternal resection of involved tissues is the best treatment for sternal tuberculosis.…”

“…A survey of bone and joint tuberculosis from England and Wales showed two cases of sternal tuberculosis out of 198 patients. 2 In the recent report by Watts et al, 8 two more cases of sternal tuberculosis were described. Involvement of the sternum most probably takes place secondary to bacteremia, which follows upon an infected lung or lymph nodes.…”

“…We are aware of only one other case that had a similar clinical pattern. 8 Pathologic fracture of the sternum is reported more frequently among patients with multiple myeloma 9,10 and rarely in patients with bacterial sternal osteomyelitis. 4 Spontaneous fracture of a healthy sternum following severe cough is exceedingly rare.…”

Sternal tuberculosis in a patient with chronic kidney disease

“…[1] Till 2009, only 25 cases had been reported in peer-reviewed journals. [2] The diagnosis is delayed because of the rarity, nonspecific symptoms, slowly progressive course, and paucibacillary state.…”

Spontaneous fracture of the ulna complicating tuberculous osteomyelitis

“…Pathological fracture of a bone damaged by tuberculosis is very rare.5' 6 We would like to report a case.…”