Ulcerative Lupus Vulgaris on the Wrist

Abstract

We report a case of ulcerative lupus vulgaris (LV) in a unique site, which facilitated the detection of internal organ tuberculosis (TB). A 68-year-old Japanese man presented with a reddish ulcerated painless lesion on his right wrist that had initially appeared 4 weeks earlier as a nontender nodule. There was no recent history of fever, weight loss, or cough. The results of tissue culture, PCR, and contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography were consistent with the diagnosis of ulcerative LV with underlying pulmonary TB and tuberculous lymphadenitis. The patient was started on anti-TB therapy. After 1 month of therapy, epithelialization of the ulcer was noted.

Keywords

• lupus vulgaris
• cutaneous tuberculosis
• internal organ tuberculosis
• case report