[Cutaneous tuberculosis in an area of Mallorca (2003-2011)].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is an important health care problem, even in our setting. The objective of this study is to describe clinic and epidemiological features of cutaneous tuberculosis in our area.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all patients diagnosed of cutaneous tuberculosis in a hospital in Mallorca (Spain) from January 2003 to July 2011. The clinical forms, diagnostic methods used, treatment used and clinical course were recorded.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were diagnosed (5.9% of the tuberculosis cases diagnosed in this period), 15 with classic cutaneous tuberculosis (14 scrofuloderma, 1 empyema necessitatis) and 13 patients with tuberculids (8 erythema induratum of Bazin disease and 5 erythema nodosum). Scrofulodermas came from lymph nodes in 10 of the patients, infected bone in 4 and pleural in one case; 13/28 patients came from other continents. Most of the patients were treatment with 3-4 tuberculostatic drugs, with favorable course.

CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous tuberculosis is not uncommon in our setting. In classic cutaneous tuberculosis culture is the gold standard diagnostic method while tuberculids are most commonly diagnosed by histology.