Chronic Infections of the Chest Wall

Abstract

Chronic chest wall infections may occur in soft tissue, cartilage, and bone. They may present as localized chest wall pain, a discrete mass initially mistaken for neoplasm, a superficial infection, or a draining sinus. Chronic chest wall infections are typically non-necrotizing and associated with lower morbidity than their more acute and necrotizing counterparts. Effective management of chest wall infections ranges from antimicrobial administration to wide surgical resection and subsequent reconstruction.

Keywords: Chest wall; Granuloma; Infection; Osteomyelitis; Sternoclavicular joint; Tuberculosis.