Resumo

OLAZABAL ARMAS, Isael  e  PEREIRA JIMENEZ, Katia. Tubercular osteomielitis of the skull. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.1, pp. 98-104. ISSN 0864-2125.

Background: tubercular osteomielitis of the skull is a rare entity that only occurs in the 0.01 % of patients infected by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, although this frequency of presentation increases significantly in people who are carriers of some degree of immunodeficiency. The clinical picture is usually insidious at the onset of the disease and is characterized by the presence of local pain of progressive intensity. Objective: to present a less frequent clinical case of chronic osteomielitis of the skull secondary to an infection by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Case presentation: 5 years old patient with history of pain and increase in the volume of the interparietal region of the skull. On physical examination, an increase in the volume with fluctuation of the mentioned region and irregular bone defect was stated. A skull X-ray was ordered which revealed an osteolitic lesion of the skull. An exeresis of the bone was performed. Vancomicin and Ceftriaxone were used during the two first weeks of the postoperative recovery. The clinical evolution was not satisfactory until a positive culture of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis was obtained. Then, specific treatment for tuberculosis was indicated. The patient's evolution was favourable five weeks after the initial diagnosis. Conclusions: osteomielitis of the skull is rare, but can be seen, especially, in countries with high prevalence of the disease. Its early diagnosis and treatment can avoid intracranial complications.

Palavras-chave : osteomielitis of the skull; tuberculosis of the nervous system; extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; epidural abscess.

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