Primary Sternal Osteomyelitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Primary sternal osteomyelitis is a rare clinical entity generally caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Although rare it carries significant morbidity including spread to mediastinal structures and even mortality. Diagnosis is generally made on clinical suspicion in a patient with and anterior chest pain and swelling, fever and raised inflammatory markers. Management is generally aggressive surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Hyperbaric oxygen can be used where available and reconstructive options need to be considered in those with extensive dissection. Herein we report the case of a 55 year old male with no previous chest surgery or trauma who presented with primary sternal osteomyelitis.