Primary calvarial tubercular osteomyelitic abscess presenting as scalp swelling—a rare case

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a well-known endemic problem in India. Skeletal tuberculosis constitutes about 1% incidence of all cases of tuberculosis, however, tuberculosis involving the skull bones is very uncommon even in endemic areas like India. The frontal and the parietal bones are the most commonly involved bones. We, hereby, report a young male presenting to us with scalp swelling in the left temporal region after a small trauma. The radiology revealed an abscess within the left right temporal bone and an associated bony defect. A temporal craniotomy was done and Gene-Xpert as well as Mycobacterium culture confirmed tubercular pathology. There was no reoccurrence on antitubercular therapy.