Cutaneous tuberculosis: a three year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of clinical presentation of cutaneous tuberculosis.

METHODS: All patients with clinical suspicion of cutaneous tuberculosis, visiting outpatient department of Dermatology Unit, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi were included in this study. Total number of the patients enrolled were 74. The lesions were then classified into four clinical types viz: lupus vulgaris, scrofuloderma, tuberculids and tuberculosis verricosa cutis.

RESULTS: A total of 0.1% patients visiting out patient department had cutaneous tuberculosis. Scrofuloderma was the commonest form seen in 48 (64.9%) patients, followed by lupus vulgaris in 16 (21.5%), tuberculosis verrucosa cutis in 6 (8.1%) and tuberculids 4(5.6 %). The presence of regional lymphadenopathy had correlation with the disseminated disease.

CONCLUSION: There is an increasing trend of cutaneous Tuberculosis over the years. Scrofuloderma was the most common clinical presentation, followed by lupus vulgaris, tuberculosis verrucsa cutis and tuberculids. Tuberculous gumma was not seen in any patient.