# Tuberculosis of the Scapula, Humerus, and Postero-Lateral Thoracic Wall Without Pulmonary Involvement Mimicking Ewing’s Sarcoma: A Report of a Rare Case

## TL;DR

A rare case of tuberculosis affecting the shoulder and chest was mistaken for cancer but correctly diagnosed and treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rare occurrence of tuberculosis in non-pulmonary skeletal sites mimicking Ewing’s sarcoma.

## Key findings

- Tuberculosis can present in the scapula, humerus, and thoracic wall without lung involvement.
- Accurate diagnosis required biopsy and nucleic acid amplification testing.
- The patient was successfully treated with 12 months of antituberculous drugs.

## Abstract

Tuberculosis can present in various atypical forms. The clinical manifestations could involve sites like bones. Tuberculosis of the scapula, humerus, and posterolateral thoracic wall is extremely rare, and diagnosis is challenging due to similarities with conditions like tumors. A young boy presented with swelling of the right shoulder joint for three months. The diagnosis was challenging due to similarities with Ewing’s sarcoma on the initial radiometric workup. A clinical assessment and diagnostic workup with biopsy, a cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, and an advanced radiometric investigation resulted in a final diagnosis. He was started on antituberculous drugs for 12 months.