Cutaneous tuberculosis: A 18-year retrospective evaluation [Deri tüberkülozu: 18 Yillik retrospektif degerlendirme]

Background and Design: While the incidence and prevalence of cutaneous tuberculosis dropped markedly around the world, it has re-emerged in areas with a high incidence of HIV infection. Cutaneous tuberculosis still keeps its importance among other skin infections in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the epidemiology, clinical and histopathological properties of cutaneous tuberculosis in Dermatology Department of Ege University Medical Faculty. Materials and Methods: The cases of cutaneous tuberculosis which was diagnosed in Dermatology Department of Ege University Medical faculty were studied retrospectively. 93 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were investigated epidemiologically, clinically and histopathologically. The biopsy specimens were examined and the histopathological features were reevaluated. Results: 69 (%74) cases of lupus vulgaris, 12(%13) cases of scrofuloderma, 12(%13) cases of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis were observed. The increase in the incidence of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis was noticed comparing with recent epidemiological studies. Lupus vulgaris lesions have been found to be localized mostly on head and neck region (% 72.4), scrofuloderma lesions on the neck (%66.6) and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis lesions on extremities (%100). Conclusions: Although number of skin tuberculosis have been observed to decrease by years it has still an important incidence in Turkey. In our study, lupus vulgaris was the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis followed by the equal proportion of scrofuloderma and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis.