presternal scrofuloderma: tip of the iceberg unveiling multifocal extrapulmonary tuberculosis - a rare case report

Introduction: scrofuloderma, a type of secondary cutaneous tuberculosis (tb) commonly arising from the underlying cervical or axillary lymph node foci via contiguity, is frequent in the pediatric population. the origin of scrofuloderma from the underlying sternal tubercular osteomyelitic focus is exceptionally unusual. it can rarely be a part of the convoluted riddle of multifocal tb, particularly in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection. case presentation: we hereby report a 16-year-old immunocompetent female who presented with chronic, sinus-like lesions with bridging scars on the upper chest, clinically confounded with infected keloid and deep fungal infection. she was later diagnosed with scrofuloderma arising from sternal osteomyelitis compounded with multifocal tuberculosis (sternal, mediastinal, cutaneous, lumbar vertebral) and received antitubercular treatment. conclusions: this case highlights the importance of harboring clinical scepticism supported by thorough systemic investigations while diagnosing these innocuous mimickers occurring at rare sites, even in immunocompetent individuals.