PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ali, Wasif M.
AU  - Beg, Mohammad H.
AU  - Rashid, Muddassir
AU  - Zafar, Uzma
AU  - Abbas, Syed N.
TI  - An experience with a rare diagnosis of isolated tuberculosis of sternum at JNMC Hospital, Aligarh, India
DP  - 2008 Apr 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 580--583
VI  - 29
IP  - 4
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/29/4/580.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/29/4/580.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2008 Apr 01; 29
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To diagnose isolated tuberculosis of the sternum in patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis.METHODS: A prospective study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College JNMC Hospital, Aligarh, India from July 2000 to July 2006 of 2512 patients presenting with a suspected case of tuberculosis. Cases were confirmed using different investigations along with treatment of the patients with antitubercular treatment ATT, with further follow up for next 2 years.RESULTS: Nineteen patients were suffering from isolated tuberculosis of sternum. The main presenting feature was retrosternal discomfort 100% while 14 73.6% patients presented with a cold abscess of sternum. All the patients were treated successfully with 12 months of ATT and followed up for 2 years for any relapse.CONCLUSION: Although tuberculosis of sternum is rare, it should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with chronic lesions of the sternum, particularly in endemic/developing countries. Twelve months of treatment with ATT is optimal for achieving cure without any risk of relapse.