Publication:

Study of common clinical types of cutaneous tuberculosis: two years study experience in a tertiary care centre

Background Cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) is frequently found worldwide, especially in tropical countries. The number of extrapulmonary TB reaches up to 14%, and 1% to 2% are cutaneous TB. Diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis (CTB) is complicated and requires a full work-up. Clinical manifestation of cutaneous TB is varied and causes difficulties to diagnose. Scrofuloderma and plaque type of lupus vulgaris (LV) are common forms of cutaneous TB.

Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients attending Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, at Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga over a period of 2 years. A total of 15 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were diagnosed.

Results A total of 15 cases out of which included predominantly males, with age group being affected commonly are 20-40 decades, histopathology showing tuberculoid granuloma in 11 cases, and common clinical variant being lupus vulgaris seen in 66.6% of the cases and. Second common being scrufuloderma seen in 26.6% of the cases and least common is TB verrucosa cutis (TBVC) seen in 6.6% of the cases.

Conclusions The study showed that the common clinical type of cutaneous tuberculosis during the study period was lupus vulgaris, scrofuloderma and less common being TBVC.