Superficial abscess formation: An unusual presenting feature of tuberculosis

Abstract

Abstract Tuberculous abscess formation in the absence of underlying osteo-articular, tendon-sheath, or lymphnode infection is uncommon in this country, but is likely to become more important with increasing immigration. Details are reported of 32 patients notified to the City of Birmingham Public Health Department between January, 1964, and December, 1968. The disease was encountered mainly in immigrants attending casualty and surgical out-patient departments. The presenting feature in all cases was a superficial, fluctuant, relatively painless swelling of several weeks' duration. Lesions were widespread although there was a tendency for the chest wall to be involved (15 patients). Chest radiographs showed evidence of pulmonary disease in approximately one-third of the case and an elevated erthroyte sedimentation rate with a normal white-cell count were constant findings. Prompt chemotherapy combined with either aspiration or incision and primary suture achieved rapid and complete resolution in nearly all patients. Incision without closure was inevitably followed by sinus formation and delay in healing.