experience with a rare diagnosis of isolated tuberculosis of sternum at JNMC hospital, Aligarh, India

To diagnose isolated tuberculosis of the sternum in patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis. A prospective study conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College [JNMC] Hospital, Aligarh, India from July 2000 to July 2006 of 2512 patients presenting with a suspected case of tuberculosis. Cases were confirmed using different investigations along with treatment of the patients with antitubercular treatment [ATT], with further follow up for next 2 years. Nineteen patients were suffering from isolated tuberculosis of sternum. The main presenting feature was retrosternal discomfort [100%] while 14 [73.6%] patients presented with a cold abscess of sternum. All the patients were treated successfully with 12 months of ATT and followed up for 2 years for any relapse. Although tuberculosis of sternum is rare, it should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with chronic lesions of the sternum, particularly in endemic/developing countries. Twelve months of treatment with ATT is optimal for achieving cure without any risk of relapse

Concomitant bilateral testicular epidermoid cysts

Epidermoid cyst of the testis is a rare benign germ cell tumor, comprising 1-2% of all resected benign testicular masses. Approximately 300 cases have been reported to date. Unilateral involvement has often been reported in the English literature. However, bilateral occurrence is very rare and to the best of our knowledge, there are only 3 previous reports of bilateral testicular epidermoid cysts. The fact that they are completely benign makes them amenable to treatment by local excision, thereby saving patient from orchidectomy. Recognition of their characteristic ultrasonographic features is very important to avoid unnecessary intervention. We present here, a case of bilateral epidermoid cyst in which characteristic ultrasound US findings allowed testis-sparing enucleation instead of radical orchiectomy