title: Disseminated mycobacterium tuberculosis: Pulmonary and musculoskeletal infections in a previously healthy man.
abstract: Chest wall masses are an uncommon result of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection especially in immune-competent patients. Herein, we report a case of 47-year-old previously healthy man who presented with an anterior chest wall mass, along with a swelling of the left fourth finger. MTB was recovered from the patient's sputum and from the aspirate of the chest wall mass. Four anti-tuberculous drugs for 2 months then 2 drugs for 7 months resulted in complete resolution of both masses with no need for surgical resection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTB can present in disseminated form in a healthy man and treated with quadruple anti-tuberculous medications without surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mouhamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasser
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nadim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanj
keywords: Chest wall; Musculoskeletal; Tuberculosis
references.citation: Isr J Med Sci. 1994 Apr;30(4):278-83
references.pmid: 8175329
references.citation: Rev Pneumol Clin. 1998 Sep;54(4):182-6
references.pmid: 9805747