Atypical presentations of cutaneous tuberculosis: Series of 10 cases.

Cutaneous tuberculosis classically presents as Lupus vulgaris, scrofuloderma, tuberculosis verrucose cutis and tubercular abscess. Hypersensitivity reaction to the bacilli leads to Lichen scrofulosorum and papulonecrotic tuberculids. At the same time, it can have myriad of clinical presentations, many of which are still undescribed. It is important to regularly update ourselves with these unusual manifestations so as to ensure early treatment and reduction of overall morbidity. In this case series tuberculosis manifesting as rapidly progressing diffuse facial granulomas, sporotrichoid tuberculosis, tuberculosis mimicking squamous cell carcinoma, scrofuloderma as tubercular ulcer, lupus vulgaris with nasal septal perforation, lupus vulgaris resembling furuncle, psoriasis, dermatitis and BT Hansen are described in immunocompetent individuals. These cases highlight the importance of recognition of atypical forms of cutaneous tuberculosis to minimize scarring and dissemination of bacilli.

Paciente con dermatitis y artritis durante sus embarazos / A patient with dermatitis and arthritis during her two pregnancies

Paciente femenina que presentó durante sus dos embarazos eritema nodoso, úlceras nasales y artritis. Debido a la persistencia del eritema nodoso después del segundo parto, se practicó determinación de ANA y anti-DNA ­ IF, resultando este último positivo, por lo que se plantea el diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso y es referida al Centro Nacional de Enfermedades Reumáticas, (CNER) donde se le practicó biopsia de piel que resultó compatible con lepra: borderline o dimorfa (BB-BL) en estado reaccional tipo II (eritema nodoso leproso: ENL). Se discuten algunos de aspectos de la lepra haciendo especial énfasis en síntomas que presentó la paciente y la exacerbación de los mismos durante los embarazos, posiblemente en relación con algunos cambios inmunológicos adaptativos que son generados para mantener la tolerancia materno fetal(AU)

Female young patient with erythema nodosum, nasal ulcers and arthritis during her two pregnancies. Due to the persistence of the erythema nodosum after the second delivery, ANA and anti-DNA - IF determination were done, the latter being positive, and she was diagnosed with lupus erythematosus and was referred to the National Center for Rheumatic Diseases, where skin biopsy showed to be compatible with leprosy: borderline or dimorphic (BB-BL) in type II reactional state (leprous erythema nodosum: LEN). Some aspects of leprosy are discussed with special emphasis on symptoms that the patient presented and their exacerbation during pregnancies, possibly in relation to some adaptive immunological changes that was generated to maintain maternal fetal tolerance(AU)

Dermatoscopy of Granulomatous Disorders.

Although diagnosis of cutaneous granulomatous disorders (CGDs) is usually suspected based on morphologic findings, localization, and anamnestic data, clinical differentiation from each other and from similar dermatoses may be challenging. Recently, dermatoscopy has been demonstrated to be a useful tool for assisting the recognition of several CGDs. This article provides a current overview of the dermatoscopic features of the main noninfectious and infectious CGDs, including sarcoidosis, necrobiosis lipoidica, granuloma annulare, rheumatoid nodules, and leishmaniasis. Other, less common, CGDs are briefly addressed, including granulomatous rosacea, acne agminata, and leprosy.

Bilateral "turkey ear" as a cutaneous manifestation of lupus vulgaris.

Lupus vulgaris is a common form of cutaneous tuberculosis in China, mostly involving the head and neck region. Turkey ear is a clinically descriptive term, used for a massively enlarged earlobe with bluish-red or violaceous indurated plaques and nodules, which can be a sign of lupus vulgaris. A 47-year-old female presented with edema and reddish ulcerated lesions on both ears which was diagnosed as lupus vulgaris by conventional laboratory investigations and the patient showed good response to antituberculous therapy. Occurrence of turkey ears in lupus pernio (sarcoidosis) should also be mentioned here as this presentation was originally described in this condition. Two case reports of turkey ear have been reported with cutaneous tuberculosis (not bilateral). However, occurrence of bilateral turkey ears in cutaneous tuberculosis has not been described so far in the literature.

Tuberculosis and Leprosy: Classical Granulomatous Diseases in the Twenty-First Century.

Leprosy and tuberculosis are chronic mycobacterial infections that elicit granulomatous inflammation. Both infections are curable, but granulomatous injury to cutaneous structures, including cutaneous nerves in leprosy, may cause permanent damage. Both diseases are major global concerns: tuberculosis for its high prevalence and mortality, and leprosy for its persistent global presence and high rate of neuropathic disability. Cutaneous manifestations of both leprosy and tuberculosis are frequently subtle and challenging in dermatologic practice and often require a careful travel and social history and a high index of suspicion.

Lupus vulgaris: unusual presentation on face.

Lupus vulgaris is a variant of cutaneous tuberculosis. As the disease has potential to mutilate when left untreated, leaving deforming scars and disfigurement, an early diagnosis is of paramount importance. Though the common type is plaque type, rarely mutilating and vegetative forms also are found. A 28 year old female, labourer presented with progressive annular plaque over right side of cheek extending upto right lower lid and ala of nose. There were two satellite plaques near the right side of giant lesion. On diascopy apple jelly nodule was seen. There was no regional lymhadenopathy. Histopathological examination showed many granulomas in upper dermis extending to deep dermis comprising of epitheloid cells with langhans' type of giant cells, lymphocytic infiltration & focal necrosis suggestive of lupus vulgaris. The consequences of failing to make an early diagnosis can be disastrous for the patients, as the progression of the disease can lead to necrosis, destruction of bones and cartilage leading to permanent deformity. Thus it is vital for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion of such atypical forms and take biopsy samples for histological and bacteriological studies.

Various faces of Hansen's disease.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leproe. Leprosy once considered a taboo is still misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed. In many cases leprosy is treated as common disorders like psoriasis, pyoderma, angioedema, pre vitiligo. Leprosy can present in many diverse ways which can be confused with many treatable and non treatable, infectious and non infectious forms. Leprosy is considered on the verge of elimination. But Leprosy cases are being newly diagnosed day by day. Here we are presenting 4 atypical cases of leprosy which did not seem to have classical presentation but were diagnosed as leprosy when investigated.

Leprosy mimicry of lupus vulgaris and misdiagnosis of leprosy--a case report.

Leprosy and tuberculosis (TB) both are still rampant in India. Leprosy predominantly presents through skin manifestations whereas cutaneous manifestations of TB though not so frequent but are not rare. Lupus vulgaris (LV), the commonest of all cutaneous manifestations of TB, mimics leprosy very closely and may prompt the examiner to misdiagnose leprosy, especially, by health workers (HW), in a field situation, where leprosy is diagnosed and treated on clinical basis alone as per NLEP guidelines. Because of existing stigmata, such wrong diagnosis can put the patient and the party under psychological stress and creates unnecessary complications.