Primary sternal tuberculosis treated by resection and reconstruction.

We report a case of primary mycobacterial sternal infection. An 81-year-old man with an infected parasternal sinus of non-specific pathology was treated with antibiotics for four months with only palliative effect. On hospital admission CT scan showed thickened first and second intercostal spaces and chest wall, but no bone involvement. At operation, the manubrium was found to be infected also. This was excised with the first three ribs anteriorly. Histology showed caseating granulomata. No other tuberculous foci were found in the patient.