A woman is reported with a ten-year history of nonspecific chest pain. Bone scintigraphy showed increased local uptake, suggesting isolated sternal osteomyelitis. Radiographic investigations were positive 18 months later. Cultures of needle aspirations of the sternal bone marrow isolated Mycobacterium fortuitum as well as Mycobacterium simiae. Due to its indolent nature, nontuberculous mycobacterial disease is easily missed, especially in non-compromised hosts.