"Turkey Ear" as a cutaneous maniestation of tuberculosis

Abstract

Lupus vulgaris is the most common morphological variant of cutaneous tuberculosis. Classical lupus lesions are often seen in the head and neck region. Turkey ear is a clinically descriptive term, previously being used for the earlobe with reddish indurated plaque lesions, which recently can be a sign for lupus vulgaris. A 65-year-old man presented with lupus vulgaris of the earlobe. The diagnosis was confirmed by conventional laboratory investigations and the patient showed well response to antituberculous therapy. This is the second reported case of “turkey ear” as a manifestation of cutaneous tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis cutánea en pabellón auricular: Reporte de un caso

“…Sin embargo, por la clínica, estado general y nutricional, y reporte histopatológico, podría sospecharse de una goma tuberculosa ulcerada. A nivel del pabellón auricular, la forma de TBC cutánea más común en la literatura es el lupus vulgaris, como lo muestran los casos reportados por Küçükünal y cols en Turquía y Kaimal y cols en India, donde describen lesiones crónicas, tipo placa, eritematosas, friables, con infiltración progresiva del pabellón auricular y retracción cicatricial en pacientes sin compromiso inmunitario 13,14 .…”

Isoniazid - induced chronic cutaneous Lupus erythematosus

“…The main mechanism of isoniazid action relies on inhibiting mycolic acid synthesis, otherwise essential for the integrity of the mycobacterial cell wall. 1 Drug induced lupus erythematosus is defined by clinical manifestations, histological modifications and immunopathological parameters similar to those of idiopathic lupus, but temporarily related to continuous drug exposure (from 1 month to years) and resolved after discontinuation of the offending drug. 2 Drug induced lupus erythematosus is classified into ( Table 1).…”

Lupus vulgaris of the auricle

“…Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis with a prevalence estimated at approximately 1.5%, though recently there has been an increase in the incidence of the disease which can be explained by its link with immunosuppression, such as AIDS or chemotherapy, and the selection of drug-resistant strains [1][2][3]. In Europe and in the USA, the highest prevalence is noted among adults [4], with women affected more often than men [1]. Lupus vulgaris is considered to be the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis, although many authors claim that tuberculosis colliquativa cutis (scrofuloderma) seems to be more widespread, especially in children [1,4].…”

“…In Europe and in the USA, the highest prevalence is noted among adults [4], with women affected more often than men [1]. Lupus vulgaris is considered to be the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis, although many authors claim that tuberculosis colliquativa cutis (scrofuloderma) seems to be more widespread, especially in children [1,4]. The final diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis is based on the joint consideration of clinical, histological and bacteriological criteria [1].…”

“…Lupus vulgaris is considered to be the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis, although many authors claim that tuberculosis colliquativa cutis (scrofuloderma) seems to be more widespread, especially in children [1,4]. The final diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis is based on the joint consideration of clinical, histological and bacteriological criteria [1]. The treatment is based on a combination of antimycobacterial drugs [4].…”