SOFT-TISSUE TUBERCULOSIS - A SERIES OF 11 CASES

Objective. To describe the clinical characteristics of soft tissue tub erculosis (TB). Methods. Retrospective review of all cases of soft tis sue TB seen by the authors. Results. Eleven cases were seen between 19 88 and 1994. All patients but one were foreign born. Six patients had collagen vascular disorders and another had a kidney transplant. Five were taking immunosuppressive therapy and/or prednisone. Three had pre ceding trauma to the affected area. Five had evidence of previous TB b y history or chest radiograph. Symptoms (mean duration 4.4 months) inc luded swelling and pain and often mimicked the underlying disease. Six patients had definite or suspected active TB at other sites. Good ini tial responses were seen with debridement or drainage and multiple dru gs for 6 to 12 months. Two patients have had possible relapses at othe r sites. Medication intolerance was frequent. Conclusion. TB should be considered in patients who present with unexplained soft tissue swell ing and pain, particularly if they are immunosuppressed, were foreign born in an endemic area, have an abnormal chest radiograph, or have ha d trauma to the affected area.