Primary septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint in an immunocompetent young patient: A case report

The aim of this article was to illustrate a case of primary septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint, due to Staphylococcus aureus infection, in an immunocompetent 28-year-old male patient. The manubriosternal joint can be rarely involved in inflammatory processes, but pyarthrosis is even more unusual in an otherwise healthy adult. Although rare, pyarthrosis could be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, first of all because of spreading to mediastinal structures. Diagnosis is generally made thanks to imaging findings after clinical suspicion in a patient with anterior chest pain and swelling, fever, and raised inflammatory markers, especially when any risk factors are known. Management is generally aggressive because intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement are necessary.