Mycobacterium tuberculosis sternal wound infection after open heart surgery: a case report and review of the literature

Coronary heart disease and tuberculosis: an unnoticed syndemia. Review of literature and management proposal

Tuberculosis is an increasing disease that affects about one-third of the global population. In line with the rise of tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease has shown a similar trend, with ischemic coronary heart disease becoming the leading cause of death worldwide. Based on the literature, a relationship can be drawn between tuberculosis and ischemic coronary heart disease through their shared multiple risk factors and a possible pathophysiological substrate linking them. The presentation of these two conditions reported so far is varied: it has been found as the onset of acute coronary syndrome in patients with active tuberculosis, the progressive development of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with latent tuberculosis, among others. Given this possible link and the progressive increase in their incidence rates, we can assert that we are facing an unnoticed syndemic, with their concurrent management posing a challenge due to significant pharmacological interactions. The purpose of this review is to clarify this possible link, propose an approach for diagnosis, and provide a treatment algorithm for the entire spectrum of coronary disease coexisting with tuberculosis according to the current available literature.

Deep Sternal Wound Tuberculosis with Hypo-gamma-globulinemia

A 44-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of a pulmonary and deep sternal wound tuberculosis infection, which is an extremely rare type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Laboratory testing revealed a serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G level of 286 mg/dL, IgA of 22 mg/dL and IgM of 13 mg/dL. We therefore diagnosed him with hypo-gamma-globulinemia. He was treated with anti-tuberculosis medications and intravenous immunoglobulin. At present, the tuberculosis has not relapsed in the past six years. It may be useful to assess the humoral immunity status in tuberculosis patients with a normal T cell function, and immunoglobulin therapy may be beneficial for protecting such patients from reactivation of tuberculosis.

A review of eleven cases of tuberculosis presenting as sternal wound abscess after open heart surgery

BACKGROUND

Sternal wound infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an uncommon yet highly challenging disease that can be quite insidious with various presentations. We hereby provide a review of 10 cases in current literature and describe an additional case which illustrates the difficulties associated with diagnosis.

METHODS

We used PubMed and Google search engine to search the literature for all published papers reporting on cases of sternal M. tuberculosis infections post open-heart surgeries.

RESULTS

A total of 11 cases were presented, including a case of our own. The majority were males and were exposed to endemic areas. The average age was 59.6 ± 15.5 years. Coronary artery bypass surgery accounted for 73% of procedures and the average time to symptoms onset was 12.2 ± 16.6 months. Diabetes was the most reported non-cardiac comorbidity. Presenting symptoms varied and only 5 patients had other organs involved. Blood tests and radiographic studies were neither sensitive nor specific. M. tuberculosis culture on debrided tissues was the most sensitive test but often forgotten initially. Diagnostic delay was seen in almost all cases, often leading to unnecessary courses of antibiotics and aggressive surgical interventions. Finally, all patients responded well to anti-tuberculosis treatment, with reported treatment duration ranging from 9 to 12 months.

CONCLUSION

M. tuberculosis infection of the sternum should be suspected in late-onset sternal wound infections post open-heart surgery especially when the course is chronic and indolent.

"Caught by the Eye of Sound" - Epigastric Swelling due to Xiphisternal Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Common causes of an epigastric mass include hepatomegaly, pancreatic pseudocyst and epigastric hernia, less common causes being carcinoma of the stomach or pancreas, whereas diseases of the sternum presenting as an epigastric swelling is extremely uncommon. We report a case of tubercular infection of the sternum located in the xiphoid process resulting in its presentation as an epigastric swelling.

CASE REPORT

A 30-year-old immunocompetent woman with complaints of an epigastric swelling and undocumented pyrexia for four months was referred for sonographic evaluation with a clinical suspicion of an incompletely treated liver abscess. The patient was examined with ultrasound, sternal radiographs, CT and MRI. Ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous epigastric collection with linear echogenic components suggestive of bone fragments. These appearances suggested chronic infective osteomyelitis of the xiphoid process of the sternum. Lateral chest radiograph demonstrated lytic destruction of the xiphisternum. Tubercular etiology was considered and further evaluation with Multidetector Computed tomography (MDCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated erosive osteomyelitis of the xiphoid process with enhancing inflammation and collection in the adjoining soft tissue. Ultrasound-guided aspiration, PCR and Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test confirmed tubercular infection.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a new case of osteo-articular tuberculosis localized to the xiphisternum, a rare clinical entity with an extremely unusual clinical presentation as an epigastric mass. The role of ultrasound in primary diagnosis and as an interventional diagnostic modality for guided aspiration is highlighted.

Sternal mycobacterial infections

Sternal mycobacterial infections are rare. Due to the rarity, its clinical characteristics, diagnoses, and regular management strategies are still scanty. A total of 76 articles on this topic were obtained by a comprehensive literature collection. The clinical features, diagnosis, management strategies and prognosis were carefully analyzed. There were totally 159 patients including 152 (95%) cases of tuberculosis (TB) and seven (5%) cases of non-TB sternal infections. Sternal mycobacterial infections can be categorized into three types: Primary, secondary, and postoperative, according to the pathogenesis; and categorized into isolated, peristernal, and multifocal, according to the extent of the lesions. Microbiological investigation is more sensitive than medical imaging and Mantoux tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of sternal infections. Most patients show good responses to the standard four-drug regimen and a surgical intervention was necessary in 28.3% patients. The prognoses of the patients are good with a very low mortality. A delayed diagnosis of sternal mycobacterial infections may bring about recurrent sternal infections and sustained incurability. An early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic regimens may significantly improve the patients' outcomes.

Sternal wound tuberculosis following cardiac operations: a review

Objective

The diagnosis and treatment of sternal wound infections with mycobacteria are challenging. Such an infection is often associated with a delayed diagnosis and improper treatment that may lead to a worsened clinical outcome. The present study is designed to highlight its clinical features so as to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and timely treatment.

Methods

MEDLINE, Highwire Press, and Google search engine were searched for publications in the English language, with no time limit, reporting on sternal wound infection caused by tuberculosis after cardiac surgery.

Results

A total of 12 articles reporting on 14 patients were included in this study. Coronary artery bypass grafting was the underlying surgical procedure in more than half of the cases. Purulent discharge and cold abscess were the two main presenting symptoms. Diagnosis of sternal wound infection was evidenced in all 14 patients by different investigations, with culture of samples being the most sensitive method of identifying the pathogen. Good response to first-line anti-tuberculous agents was noted. Almost all patients required surgical debridement/resection and, sometimes, sternal reconstruction. A delayed diagnosis of sternal wound infection may lead to repeated recurrences. A comparison between patients with sternal wound infection due to tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections showed that the former infections took an even longer period of time. Comparisons also revealed patients with sternal tuberculosis infection had a significantly higher mortality than patients with sternal non-tuberculous infection (29.2% vs. 0%, P=0.051).

Conclusion

Sternal infection caused by tuberculosis after cardiac surgery has a longer latency, better response to first-line drugs, and better outcomes in comparison with non-tuberculous sternal infection. Early diagnosis and early anti-tuberculous treatment can surely improve the patients' prognosis.

Primary sternal tuberculous ulcer with dissemination to the bone marrow: a clinical rarity

Primary tubercular osteomyelitis of the sternum with dissemination to bone marrow is a rarely described entity even in countries where tuberculosis is endemic. Delayed presentations can be in the form of sinus formation, spontaneous fracture of the sternum, extrasternal spread, and sepsis. Diagnosis can be made by CT of the chest wall and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of aspirate from the lesion or by tissue biopsy. We present a case of tuberculous osteomyelitis of the sternum with sinus formation along with widespread involvement of bone marrow, which was successfully treated with antituberculous therapy. Sternal osteomyelitis is difficult to diagnose on chest radiography and ultrasonography, but we were able to make the probable diagnosis of sternal tuberculous osteomyelitis. CT showed erosion of part of the sternal bone. Diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology and by bone marrow trephine biopsy. During the follow-up period of 3 months, the patient showed a satisfactory response to treatment.

Primary sternal tuberculosis osteomyelitis: A case report and discussion

As immigration to the United States from countries endemic for tuberculosis (TB) increases, the incidence of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB disease may increase. Primary tuberculous sternal osteomyelitis is one form of extrapulmonary TB that is exceedingly rare throughout the world, and falls under the differential diagnosis for chest wall masses. Management involves standard antituberculous therapy with antibiotics similar to treating other forms of extrapulmonary TB, as well as consideration of surgical intervention depending on the extent of osteomyelitis. A typical case of primary sternal TB osteomyelitis is reported, and the epidemiology, differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations and management are reviewed.

Sternal osteomyelitis caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We report the case of a 74-year-old male patient with a one-year history of chest pain in the suprasternal notch associated with erythema, edema and drainage of purulent material from a fistulous lesion. The patient was HIV-negative with no history of TB. A CT scan of the chest showed an osteolytic lesion in the sternum, and a biopsy revealed caseous granuloma, which, in the microbiological evaluation, was negative for fungi and acid-fast bacilli. The diagnosis of sternal osteomyelitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed using PCR.