Primitive sternoclavicular septic arthritis

Introduction. Sternoclavicular infections are unusual, and it even more unusual for infection to occur here as a primary site. Case report. We report the case of a 53-year-old patient with no prior medical history or risk factor who consulted because of sternal swelling of inflammatory character. CT-scan, bacteriological and histological analysis of samples concluded the diagnosis of primary sternoclavicular staphylococcal septic arthritis. Management consisted of antibiotics and was associated with a flattening of the lesion. The outcome at 6 months was favorable. Conclusion. Sternoclavicular infections should be evoked early in the course of sternoclavicular pain in order to avoid any locoregional complications and mostly mediastinitis. (C) 2015 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.