Multi Lobulated Soft Tissue Tuberculosis Abscess in the Forearm of a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial infection that is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This chronic infection is amongst important of reasons for morbidity and mortality in the world. Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extra pulmonary involvement. Case Presentation: The case was a 42-year-old female, a known case of rheumatoid arthritis that was receiving prednisolone, and presented multi-lobulated soft tissue abscess in the forearm. Smear of the drained pus had 3+ Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) and culture of the drained material confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusions: The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is always an important differential diagnosis for skin and soft tissue involvement in endemic areas. The cold abscess is an uncommon form of cutaneous tuberculosis that can be single or multiple and with or without fistula.