Erythema induratum (Bazin's disease)

The clinical and histologic features of 26 cases of erythema induratum are reviewed. The characteristic cutaneous lesions on the legs of middle-aged women were violaceous, indurated nodules, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, which were painful, occasionally ulcerated, and could heal with scarring. The diagnosis was confirmed in all patients by a strongly positive Mantoux test result (1:10,000 dilution) and by clearing of lesions after antituberculosis therapy. The histologic features were varied but were predominantly those of a vasculitis with a paraseptal and lobular panniculitis. Although it was not possible to fulfill the required criteria for diagnosing tuberculosis in these lesions, we believe there is sufficient circumstantial evidence to support the hypothesis that erythema induratum is a true tuberculid.