Clinicopathologic spectrum of cutaneous tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis of 165 Indians

Although cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is well described, it is wise to periodically revisit the prevailing clinical and epidemiological features, of this somewhat uncommon entity in developed nations that is also usually neglected in national tuberculosis control programs in countries where tuberculosis is a major health problem, to maintain heightened awareness as the HIV pandemic runs its course.

Medical records of 165 cases of CTB, diagnosed from 2007 to 2010, were studied. The diagnosis in each was made on the basis of well-conceived and described criteria. All patients had earlier been immunized with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin soon after birth. Patients were evaluated by routine hematology, Mantoux test, screening for HIV status in addition to fine-needle aspiration cytology, and/or histopathology of the lesion.

Of the 165 cases (94 males and 71 females, male:female ratio of 1.32:1; age range, 1-64), 85 were lupus vulgaris, 11 tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (paucibacillary), and 39 scrofuloderma (multibacillary). The remaining 17 were tuberculids comprising 24 lichen scrofulosorum, 3 papulonecrotic tuberculid, 2 erythema induratum, and 1 erythema nodosum, afflicting children and young adults (age range, 0-10; 21-30). Fine-needle aspiration cytology was diagnostic in 39 cases, histopathology in 117, and their combination in 9. Clinicopathologic correlation and response to antituberculosis treatment were additional diagnostic adjuncts.

CTB has a varied clinical and morphological spectrum. Cytology and histopathology play a key role in its diagnosis. An additional adjunct is the clinical response to antituberculosis treatment.