Tissue biopsy in the diagnosis of chronic tuberculous wounds in diabetes mellitus.

A 70-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of tuberculosis sought treatment for a dark red mass on his right abdomen of 7 months' duration. A chest X-ray showed increased texture in both lungs but no parenchymal lesions. After informed consent had been obtained, a biopsy of the hypochondriac mass was taken, which revealed intradermal pyogenic granulomatous inflammation; acid-fast staining revealed a few acid-fast bacilli. Thus, the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the wound was considered conclusive. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.