Unusual clinical and histopathological presentation of facial tuberculosis

Atypical facial lupus vulgaris is described in two cases. The first case resembled sarcoidosis clinically and histologically but responded well to ATT. The second case whose clinical diagnosis of lupus vulgaris was confirmed therapeutically had an atypical histology.     

Cutaneous tuberculosis and squamous-cell carcinoma

The incidence of all forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, including lupus vulgaris (the most common form) decreased progressively in developed countries during the twentieth century, this change being attributed to improved living standards and specific therapy. Despite the decrease in cutaneous tuberculosis, some cases are still found and correct diagnosis and management are fundamental, both for the patients and for public health. Long lasting, misdiagnosed or untreated cutaneous tuberculosis may lead to different forms of cancer. This case report involves a 74-year old male farmer with lupus vulgaris on his face. During anti-tuberculosis treatment he developed a tumor on his forehead, which was histologically confirmed as a squamous cell carcinoma.     

A case of lupus vulgaris with unusual location

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases of our planet; today, it still is a serious medicosocial problem in both developing and developed countries. Cutaneous tuberculosis is part of the small percentage of extrapulmonary forms of the disease and has considerable morphological variability. It is often confused with various cutaneous disorders and some other granulomatous processes of the skin. Here, we present a case of long-standing and atypically-located lupus vulgaris in an old man. The patient was successfully treated with triple antituberculous therapy.     

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma developing in lupus vulgaris exfoliativus persistent for 40 years

Background  A 65-year-old man is described with a 40-year history of lupus vulgaris exfoliativus, a form of cutaneous tuberculosis that resembles psoriasis. He had been misdiagnosed as having psoriasis vulgaris for many years. A cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma developed within a plaque of lupus vulgaris exfoliativus.
Methods  A skin biopsy provided the correct diagnoses.
Results  The patient was successfully treated with medication for tuberculosis and had his skin cancer cured by surgical excision.
Conclusions  With an increasing worldwide incidence of tuberculosis, one needs to be aware of its cutaneous forms and variants, as well as its complications, in particular skin cancer. Lupus vulgaris exfoliativus may resemble psoriasis vulgaris.     

Inadequacy of clinical and/or laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of lupus vulgaris, re-infection cutaneous tuberculosis: fallout/implication of 6 weeks of anti-tubular therapy (ATT) as a precise diagnostic supplement to complete the scheduled regimen

The morphological diagnosis of the plaque form of lupus vulgaris was made on the basis of distinct clinical features. An endeavor to supplement this diagnosis was made through laboratory investigations comprising total differential leukocyte count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the results of which were largely ambiguous. Regimented anti-tubular therapy (ATT) was utilized to arrive at the diagnosis. A perceptible regression of the lesions over the course of 6 weeks was remarkably beneficial to completing the treatment subsequently. ATT seems to bea feasible and well-conceived tool in the diagnosis of lupus vulgaris tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and pediatric scleroderma.     

Case of lupus vulgaris diagnosed 50 years after onset

Cutaneous tuberculosis is an infrequent form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, but is a symptom that can lead to diagnosis of tuberculosis. We describe a case of lupus vulgaris in a 79-year-old woman who had a 50-year history of a slowly growing plaque on her right cheek. She visited many hospitals without resolution and the plaque gradually enlarged. Recently, she was misdiagnosed with eczema and prescribed topical steroids that had no effect, and she subsequently visited our outpatient clinic. A diagnosis of lupus vulgaris was made based on histopathology, culture and polymerase chain reaction, and isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol were administered as antituberculosis treatment. Although the incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis has decreased significantly in developed countries, knowledge and awareness of the disease are still of importance for proper diagnosis and treatment.     

Cutaneous sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement.

Despite the clinical importance of cardiac involvement in the prognosis of sarcoidosis, it is often overlooked because of the subclinical disease progression and difficulty in diagnosis. We report here five patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions where cardiac involvement was detected with the appearance of mild cardiac symptoms on a careful examination of the heart after cutaneous sarcoidosis was diagnosed. In four of the five cases, the patients had annular lesions while the fifth case showed a nodular eruption on the face. Three of the five patients showed complete AV block while one showed complete right bundle block and left bundle anterior branch block. All four patients with conduction disturbances underwent a permanent pacemaker implantation with prednisolone tapering therapy. The remaining patient had congestive heart failure and was treated with prednisolone alone. The present findings support the belief that sarcoidosis patients with cutaneous lesions, especially facial annular lesions, should be carefully examined and monitored for cardiac involvement, even in cases without apparent cardiac symptoms.     

Incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis in patients with organ tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis continues to be a health problem in some countries. The development of resistance to antituberculitic drugs and the increase in diseases and conditions associated with immunodeficiency such as AIDS and chemotherapy have caused tuberculosis to increase recently. As a result, the incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis has been increasing as well. AIM: To detect cutaneous tuberculosis in patients with organ tuberculosis and to establish some characteristics of the relation between organ and cutaneous TB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 370 patients (145 females and 225 males), aged 2-76 years (mean age 27.5), enrolled for this screening study. These patients were hospitalized patients who already had pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed before admission. All patients underwent a general skin examination, and, if needed, cutaneous biopsies were taken from involved skin areas. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-seven (93.78%) out of 370 patients had pulmonary tuberculosis only or in association with one of other organ tuberculoses. Twenty-three patients had extrapulmonary TB: nine were TB adenitis, six were TB peritonitis, three were bone tuberculosis, and five were TB meningitides. Of 370 patients, only 13 (3.51%) had cutaneous TB: seven scrofuloderma (SCD; 2.16%), four lupus vulgaris (LV; 1.35%), one LV and SCD, and one Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) adenitis (0.027%). Cutaneous tuberculosis was observed in seven out of 260 patients with parenchymal tuberculosis (2.96%). Four out of nine patients with TB adenitis (44.4%), one out of 12 pulmopleuretic (8.3%), and one out of 67 pleuresic patients (1.40%) had cutaneous TB as well. Mean age of the 13 patients was 32.46 years: mean age of SCD and LV was 24.8 and 48 years, respectively. The one patient with BCG adenitis was 7 months old. Five (62.5%) out of eight patients with SCD, and only one (20%) out of five patients with LV were new cases. Four patients with SCD had a positive family history, while LV patients did not. CONCLUSIONS: Organ tuberculosis is rarely associated with cutaneous tuberculosis. Scrofuloderma and LV are the most frequent forms of skin TB associated with organ TB in this population. Tuberculosis adenitis is the organ TB that causes cutaneous TB most often among other organ tuberculoses. More than one form of cutaneous TB affected only one patient with pulmonary TB; therefore, it is very rare. Tuberculids were not observed in any of the patients.     

Sarcoidosis associated with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: At least 2.7 million Americans are infected with chronic hepatitis C. An increasing number are treated with interferon alfa plus ribavirin regimens. Not surprisingly, this immune stimulation is associated with the development of autoimmune and cutaneous diseases. Several cases of sarcoidosis have been reported with hepatitis C treatment, most recently in association with pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin. Systemic manifestations of sarcoidosis are usually treated with oral steroids, which unfortunately often increase the hepatitis C viral load. Thus, it is important to ascertain whether systemic corticosteroids are required to treat interferon alfa-associated sarcoidosis. OBSERVATIONS: We report the third case of cutaneous sarcoidosis in association with pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin treatment. Our patient had both cutaneous and pulmonary involvement, which has been spontaneously resolving since his treatment regimen was completed. In addition, we review the 12 previously reported cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis that occurred in patients undergoing hepatitis C treatment with interferon alfa. CONCLUSIONS: As the number of patients being treated with interferon alfa and ribavirin for hepatitis C increases, it is essential that dermatologists recognize the association of this treatment with sarcoidosis, because skin lesions may provide the first clue to diagnosis. Development of sarcoidosis may relate to hepatitis C as a possible antigenic trigger in the presence of an enhanced helper T cells type 1 response from treatment. Sarcoidosis with skin lesions in patients undergoing hepatitis C treatment often follows a benign course, and interferon alfa therapy may sometimes be continued with resolution of sarcoidosis occurring spontaneously or within a few months of completing treatment. Cautious use of systemic corticosteroids is warranted given their adverse effects on hepatitis C viral loads.     

12例寻常狼疮临床分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨12例寻常狼疮患者临床特点及治疗。 方法 对12例确诊为寻常狼疮患者的临床特点、组织病理、误诊原因、治疗及转归情况等进行分析。 结果 12例中83.3%发病前有局部外伤史。所有患者发病早,病程长,多数无明显自觉症状,皮损形态多样,首诊均被误诊,经组织病理、结核菌素纯蛋白衍化物试验、抗酸染色、结核杆菌培养、DNA测序等检查明确诊断。经规范抗结核治疗后预后均良好。 结论 临床医生应加强对寻常狼疮的认识,通过组织病理、培养等检查可确诊。     

Lupus vulgaris: report of two cases

Although there has been a steady decline in the incidence of tuberculosis in recent years, it persists in some regions, and where AIDS is especially prevalent, the number of new cases has been increasing. Thus, cutaneous tuberculosis has re-emerged in areas with a high incidence of HIV infection and multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Lupus vulgaris has been and remains the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis. Cutaneous manifestations of disseminated tuberculosis are unusual, being seen in less than 0.5% of cases. Scrofuloderma, tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and lupus vulgaris comprise most cutaneous tuberculosis cases. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is derived from an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis and is employed beneficially as a relatively safe vaccination in Poland and other countries in which the prevalence of tuberculosis is high. However, BCG vaccination may produce complications, including disseminated BCG and lupus vulgaris, the latter seen in one of our two patients in whom lupus vulgaris at the inoculation site followed a second vaccination with BCG 12 years after the initial one. A similar phenomenon has been described after immunotherapy with BCG vaccination. Re-infection (secondary) inoculation cutaneous tuberculosis may also occur as a result of BCG vaccination, producing either lupus vulgaris or tuberculosis verrucosa cutis, probably depending upon the patient's degree of cell-mediated immunity. However, most lupus vulgaris cases are not associated with vaccination with BCG, as occurred in our first patient. For those who do develop lupus vulgaris, it can be persistent for a long period, in some cases for many decades. In the second patient we describe a lengthy duration and cutaneous reactivation at distant sites after more than 40 years.     

Evolution of cutaneous tuberculosis over the past 30 years in a tertiary hospital on the European Mediterranean coast

Background. There have been few studies on cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) in Europe in recent years. Objective. To retrospectively analyse the evolution of the various types of cutaneous TB over the past 30 years in an adult population in Spain. Methods. Patients with cutaneous TB diagnosed between 1981 and 2011 at Bellvitge Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, were included in the study. Chest radiography was performed for all patients, and the presence of TB elsewhere in the body was excluded when clinically suspected. Results. In total, 36 patients (15 male, 21 female, mean age 53.72 years) were diagnosed with cutaneous TB. There were 22 patients with lupus vulgaris (LV), 4 with scrofuloderma, 4 with miliary TB, 3 with tuberculous abscess/ulcer, and 1 each with orificial TB, warty TB, and an iatrogenic inoculation from underlying visceral focus. Of the 36 patients, 16 (38.88%) had TB presenting simultaneously in other organs. Mycobacterial culture from skin biopsies was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in 17 of the 32 cases tested (53.12%), whereas stains for acid‐fast bacilli in skin samples were positive in only 3 of 36 patients (8.33%). Conclusions. Although the number of cases of cutaneous TB diagnosed yearly in our population has declined over the past 30 years, cutaneous TB still exists in Europe, and its incidence is expected to increase, owing to the increased immigration into the continent in recent years. The most common type of cutaneous TB in our adult population was LV. It should be noted that despite being considered a benign form of TB, cutaneous TB can be accompanied by TB in internal organs, and severe complications can occur, such as the development of squamous cell carcinoma in long‐lasting lesions.     

Benign juvenile melanoma (spindle cell nevus) with atypical manifestations

The case of a benign juvenile melanoma of unusual appearance in a 7-year-old boy is reported. Despite typical histological features the sharply circumscribed, plain, reddish-brown lesion consisting of small papules clinically mimicked cutaneous sarcoidosis or lupus vulgaris.     

Cutaneous tuberculosis in children and adolescents: a clinicohistological study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in the era of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has rejuvenated the interest in this global health problem. Cutaneous TB, an important extra-pulmonary form in children, is commonly seen in our dermatological practice. As detection of acid-fast bacillus (AFB) on smear or culture is not always positive, histopathology is necessary to help in diagnosing and classifying the variants of skin TB. The current study was conducted to analyse the clinicopathological characteristics of cutaneous TB in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 103 patients (age<19 years). A detailed history and clinical examination was followed by complete investigative work up including fine needle aspiration cytology and culture. Histopathological evaluation was performed specifically noting the epidermal and dermal features. The patients were followed up regularly for one year after the start of treatment. RESULTS: The different patterns of cutaneous TB seen were, scrofuloderma 38 (36.9%), lichen scrofulosorum 34 (33%), lupus vulgaris 22 (21.3%), TB verrucosa cutis 4 (3.9%), papulonecrotic tuberculid 4 (3.9%) and erythema nodosum 3 (2.9%). Systemic associations were seen in 55 (53.4%) patients, namely TB lymphadenitis in 30 (29.2%), pulmonary TB in 13 (12.6%), abdominal TB in 6 (5.8%) and TB arthritis in 6 (5.8%). The histopathological corroboration of clinical diagnosis was seen in 65.7% of cases of scrofulodermas, 72.7% of cases of lupus vulgaris and 67.6% of cases of lichen scrofulosorum. CONCLUSIONS: A large spectrum of clinical patterns and histological characteristics of cutaneous TB exists in children. Lichen scrofulosorum is more commonly seen in comparison to adults. Systemic involvement was a feature in a major proportion of our patients.     

Off-label use of fumarate therapy for granulomatous and inflammatory skin diseases other than psoriasis vulgaris: a retrospective study

Background Fumarates are approved for the systemic treatment of moderate and severe psoriasis vulgaris in Germany. However, a number of studies and case reports indicate their efficacy in the treatment of further inflammatory skin disorders or granulomatous skin diseases. Objectives To examine the efficacy and safety of fumarates for the treatment of granulomatous and inflammatory skin diseases other than psoriasis vulgaris. Patients and methods The therapeutic efficacy and side‐effects of fumarate therapy were analysed retrospectively in patients with granuloma annulare (GA, n = 4), cutaneous sarcoidosis (SA, n = 1), lichen planus (LP, n = 3), pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP, n = 1) or chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE, n = 1). Results Six patients (GA: 3/4; LP: 2/3; PRP: 1/1) showed complete clearance and two patients (GA: 1/3; SA: 1/1) had a partial response, and the CDLE patient showed stable disease under a combination therapy with hydroxychloroquine. Side‐effects associated with fumarate therapy were seen in seven of ten patients and resolved spontaneously upon dose reduction or discontinuation of the therapy. Conclusion According to this data, fumarates may represent a new approach in the treatment of granulomatous and inflammatory skin diseases other than psoriasis vulgaris. For the first time, the successful treatment of LP and CDLE with fumarates is reported. Side‐effects are not limiting in most cases, but can hamper a dose escalation.     

Annular lupus vulgaris: an unusual case undiagnosed for five years

Tuberculosis is still a serious problem in both developing and developed countries. It is often confused with various cutaneous disorders both clinically and histopathologically.A 46-year-old woman attended our clinic with progressive, asymptomatic, annular skin lesions on her right upper extremity for 5 years. She had received many different therapies for these lesions at other institutions previously but these medications were not effective and the lesions deteriorated. On dermatological examination, well-demarcated, irregular bordered, violaceous colored, elevated and crusted annular lesions on her right hand dorsum and forearm were observed. She was diagnosed as having lupus vulgaris clinically and histopathologically. Antituberculosis therapy was administered and regression of the lesions started in the second week of medication.We report a case of long-standing, undiagnosed and uncommon, annular form of lupus vulgaris. We want to stress that clinical and histopathological findings are still important for the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis.     

寻常狼疮16例误诊分析

目的　探讨寻常狼疮的临床特点和病因 ,减少误诊误治。方法　通过对本科门诊近 3个月遇到的 16例在院外误诊为其他皮肤病的寻常狼疮资料进行研究 ,分析其误诊误治的原因。结果　 16例分别误诊为结节病、皮肤纤维瘤、鳞状细胞癌、湿疹、深部真菌感染、脂溢性皮炎、盘状红斑狼疮等 ,根据皮损组织病理结果及临床抗痨药物治疗有效 ,最后全部确诊为寻常狼疮。结论　本病皮损的临床表现可有多样 ,自觉症状轻微或全无 ,加之近年又有增多趋势 ,而临床医生又缺乏对本病的足够认识 ,这些是造成误诊的主要原因。     

Lupus vulgaris developing at the site of misdiagnosed scrofuloderma

Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis primarily occurring in developing countries. The recent increase in the incidence of tuberculosis, especially due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, has led to a resurgence of extrapulmonary forms of this disease. We describe a case of lupus vulgaris in a 33-year-old woman who had a 5-year history of a slowly growing plaque on her neck. The lesion was located at the site of surgery repairing the scar resulting from the incision of a subcutaneous abscess during childhood. This lesion was misdiagnosed as bacterial abscess. Histopathologic examination of the plaque revealed non-caseating tuberculoid granulomas consisting of lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells. Staining for acid-fast bacilli and culture from biopsied tissue was negative. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA, performed on a skin biopsy specimen, was positive. A diagnosis of lupus vulgaris developing at the site of a previous misdiagnosed scrofuloderma was made. Conventional antitubercular therapy with rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol was administered for 6 months, resulting in resolution of the lesion.     

面部寻常狼疮一例并文献复习

报道1例面部寻常狼疮并对近10年文献报道的该病例进行回顾性分析.共分析34例寻常狼疮患者,年龄3～88岁;32例皮损位于头面颈部,1例位于臀部,1例位于左侧乳房;病程3个月～60年;34例患者中误诊误治29例(85.29％),主要被误诊为皮炎湿疹、体癣、红斑狼疮等;予以标准抗结核治疗后病情恢复良好,有4例继发鳞状细胞癌...     

Localization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in granulomas of sarcoidosis cutaneous lesions

Using an immunofluorescent technique, the localization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was investigated in granuloma lesions from the skin of three sarcoidosis cases. Specific fluorescence was observed in epithelioid cells in the sarcoidosis granulomas examined. However, it was not found in any other granulomatous diseases observed as controls, which included granuloma annulare, foreign body granuloma and lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei. These results indicate that ACE is specifically localized in the epithelioid cells in cutaneous granuloma lesions of sarcoidosis; in one case, it was also observed in Langhans giant cells. Therefore, it is suggested that examination for ACE in cutaneous lesions using an immunofluorescent technique is very useful for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in the skin. We suggest that epithelioid cells of granulomas in sarcoidosis cutaneous lesions may play an important role in the increase of serum ACE activity.