Subcutaneous and paraspinal tuberculous abscesses in a patient with Crohn's disease

This case involves a man with longstanding Crohn’s disease on azathioprine therapy who developed a rare manifestation of tuberculosis, presenting as a subcutaneous tuberculous abscess and tuberculous spondylitis. The patient’s immunocompromised state due to azathioprine raised the risk for opportunistic infections. The unique aspects include the absence of disseminated tuberculosis and the development of tuberculous paraspinal and subcutaneous abscesses in a patient with Crohn’s disease. The case underscores the importance of vigilance for rare infections in immunosuppressed individuals and highlights the need for tuberculosis screening before initiating immunosuppressive therapies. The patient was successfully treated with antituberculous medication, emphasising the importance of a tailored approach in managing such cases.