Last update:
24-May-2026

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs and can also present as extrapulmonary TB. Among extrapulmonary forms, musculoskeletal TB is relatively rare. Herein, we report a case of a 59-year-old female who presented with complaints of anterior chest wall swelling and shortness of breath on exertion. The patient underwent incision and drainage of the chest wall abscess. Pus culture showed no growth. Acid-fast bacilli and gene-Xpert are negative. A biopsy taken from the abscess wall showed necrotising granulomatous inflammation with Langerhans giant cells and multinucleated giant cells. The patient was started on empirical anti-tubercular therapy. Upon follow-up, the patient exhibited a favourable clinical response, with resolution of the swelling. This case highlights an unusual site of tuberculous cold abscess.

Key words: Abscess, Extra-pulmonary, Swelling, Tuberculosis.