Primary thoracic muscle tuberculosis: two case reports

BACKGROUND: The aim of this case report is to present our experience with two very rare cases of thoracic muscle tuberculosis. Muscle tuberculosis, as a primary disease, can only be detected in cases in which mycobacteria have been transplanted to a muscle through an infected needle. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Case 1 is a 38-year-old immigrant man and Case 2 is a 24-year-old immigrant man, both originating from Sub-Saharan African Countries; they presented in the past two years to our hospital with swellings at the base of the hemithorax and were diagnosed as having muscle tuberculosis. Administration of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy caused: (a) diminution of inflammation, (b) diminution of the size of local fusiform injury, and (c) clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic muscle tuberculosis should be considered to be one of the etiologies of muscular disease in European countries with a high incidence of immigrants originating from endemic geographical areas.