Lupus vulgaris is the commonest variant of cutaneous tuberculosis seen in adults. It has unusual sites of presentation, varied morphological types and variable course. This occasionally leads to delay in diagnosis and increases the morbidity. A 27 year old woman presented to us with rapidly spreading recurrent, large ulcerative lesions on buttocks. Patient was misdiagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum and was started on steroids. There was no significant improvement. Smear examination and culture for tuberculosis were negative. Histopathological examination and therapeutic trial confirmed the diagnosis.

Keywords: lupus vulgaris, therapeutic trial.

1. Ramesh V, Misra RS, Jain RK. Secondary tuberculosis of the skin: clinical features and problems in laboratory diagnosis. Int J Dermatol 1987;26 : 578–81.
2. Patra AC, Gharami RC, Banerjee PK. A profile of cutaneous tuberculosis. Ind J Dermatol 2006; 51: 105-7.
3. Sehgal VN. Cutaneous tuberculosis. Dermatol Clin 1994;12: 645–53.
4. Findlay GH. Bacterial infections. In: Findlay GH, editors. The dermatology of bacterial infections. 1st ed. London: Blackwell Scientific; 1987. p. 71-83.
5. Lupus vulgaris of the popliteal fossa: A delayed diagnosis Ilknur Kivanc Altunay MD1, Semra Kayaoglu MD2, Tugba Rezan Ekmekci , Safiye Kutlu , Esra Saygin Arpag Dermatology Online Journal 13 (3): 12
6. Cook A, 1897. The Mengo Hospital Notes for the Year 1897. Kampala, Uganda: Makerere College Medical School Library.
7. Hsiao PF, Tzen CY, Chen HC, Su HY: Polymerase chain reaction-based dete-ction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissues showing granulomatous inflammation without demonstrable acid-fast bacilli. Int J Dermatol 2003;42: 281–86.

Dr Mudita Gupta

Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology

IGMC, Shimla

Ph no. 9418495747, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.