Tuberculous cellulitis in a child demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging

The increasing prevalence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis means that it is i mportant for clinicians to review their knowledge of unusual presentations of mycobacterial infections. Involvement of subcutaneous tissue and skeleta l muscle is rare in tuberculosis. Occasionally, infection of soft tissue ma y be the sole manifestation of tuberculosis. Apart from cases of tuberculou s lymphadenitis, the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis may be diffic ult. Modern imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may be helpful in making a differential diagnosis. We present here a case of tuber culous cellulitis in an immunocompetent child and discuss the contribution of MRI in diagnosis.