Erythema induratum of Bazin in a patient with generalized tuberculosis

Cutaneous manifestations of tuberculosis are rare and account for 1—2% of all tuberculosis cases. According to the clinical classification used in the Russian Federation, all types of tuberculous skin lesions are divided into two groups: localized (focal) and disseminated tuberculosis of the skin. The manifestations of disseminated tuberculosis of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue include erythema induratum of Bazin. The disease occurs more commonly in young women with tuberculosis. Skin lesions are usually located on the lower extremities and present as deep, dense, bluish-red nodules or infiltrates, slightly painful or painless on palpation, ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm; they can ulcerate followed by scarring and/or hyperpigmentation. Concomitant circulatory disorders may contribute to disease development. Most lesions resolve spontaneously within a few months, leaving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and sometimes retracted smooth hypodermal or dermal and hypodermal scars. The diagnosis is confirmed by histological findings and the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in the biopsy specimen using polymerase chain reaction. This article describes a clinical case of erythema induratum of Bazin in a 35-year-old female with pulmonary tuberculosis. The observation indicates the effectiveness of an active diagnostic search with a comprehensive approach using morphological and molecular biological test methods in recurrent nodular rashes. © 2022, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.