An unusual case of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis of the left lower limb in a 65-year-old woman is reported. The disease, arising on the plantar aspect of the foot in 1950, was correctly diagnosed by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from a skin biopsy only in 1993. A spectacular improvement of the cutaneous lesions was achieved using combined therapy with isoniazide, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide.