Osteochondritis of Sternoclavicular Joint Due to Brucellosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Osteochondritis is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint destroys due to lack of blood flow. Then bone and cartilage can break, causing pain and sometimes affecting joint motion and skin around the involved joint might be swollen and tender. Osteochondritis occurs most commonly in the knee, but also occurs in elbows, ankles and other joints. Decreased blood flow to the end of the affected bone due to trauma is the main cause, but there might be a genetic component, making some persons more susceptible to get this disorder. Some infections such as brucellosis can lead to osteochondritis. Bone and joint complications are common in brucellosis, but osteochondritis of sternoclavicular joint is a rare presentation. Case Presentation: Here, we presented a 34-year-old woman referred to our hospital for fever, chills and arthralgia in the sternoclavicular joint, which has been started two months before admission. Finally, with more evaluations, we found that she had sternoclavicular osteochondritis due to brucellosis. Conclusions: Although, brucellosis can cause arthritis more in knee, elbow and hip and causes spondylodiscitis, osteochondritis of sternoclavicular joint is very rare in brucella infection.