Sternal Tuberculosis: About Two Senegalese Cases
Alassane Dièye *
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Abdourahmane Ndong
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of General Surgery, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Papa Latyr Junior Diouf
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of Fann, Dakar, Senegal.
Mba Bambo Diakhaby
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Bacteriology Laboratory of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Samba Niang
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Amadou Diop Dia
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Diatou Dia-Gueye
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Seynabou Lô
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Bacteriology Laboratory of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Ndéye Méry Dia-Badiane
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in resource-limited countries where it is endemic. Sternal TB is a rare entity. It accounts for less than 1% of tuberculous osteomyelitis.
We report two cases of sternal TB occurring in two young Senegalese aged 21 and 23, who presented with inflammatory sternal swelling in the context of evening raise of temperature and weight loss. In both cases, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in the pus specimen using the Genexpert® MTB/RIF test (Cepheid, California). In one case, a chest CT scan revealed lysis of the sternal manubrium. The patient's condition improved with anti-tuberculosis treatment and surgery.
These cases, particularly in areas where tuberculosis is endemic, highlight the importance of considering tuberculosis as a possible cause of sternal tumefaction.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, sternum, Saint-Louis, Senegal