Lupus vulgaris of the earlobe

Cutaneous tuberculosis is rare today and is often confused with other granulomatous lesions. Its diagnosis remains bothersome, because detecting mycobacteria in skin lesions using a conventional laboratory examination remains difficult. A 59-year-old woman presented with lupus vulgaris of the earlobe. Surgical treatment was employed, with an initial diagnosis of hemangioma. After the operation the condition was diagnosed correctly and preventive antituberculous drugs were prescribed. The incidence of tuberculosis has increased since the mid-1980s chiefly due to the expansion of the HIV-infected, immunocompromised population. Thus the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous tuberculosis has become once again important.