Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Presenting as a Dumbbell Tumour of the Chest Wall

Abstract

Tuberculosis gives rise to a significant impact on the healthcare burden in tropical countries where it can present in a variety of ways. The commonest site of tuberculous infection is the lung, while extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is observed only among 15% to 20% of all cases mostly among immune-suppressed patients (1). Musculoskeletal system is one of the well-known sites for extra- pulmonary TB which accounts for nearly 1% to 3% of all TB cases (2-4). Chest wall tuberculosis is a rare entity of musculoskeletal TB constituting only 1% to 5% of musculoskeletal TB (3, 4). These sort of uncommon presentations are even rare among young immune competent adults. Being such rare we seldom suspect tuberculosis in young adults with no predisposition and presenting with minimal symptoms. Therefore, this case opens up new stream of thinking which is crucial in early recognition and early commencement of specific treatment for a potentially fatal disease