[Scrofuloderma with osteoarticular tuberculosis in the Ferrol health district].
BACKGROUND
Scrofuloderma results from direct extension of an underlying tuberculous focus such as bone, joint or even the epididymis to the overlying skin, but is more frequent over a lymph node, mainly in the cervical region.


METHODS
We analysed all cases of scrofuloderma with a bone or joint focus evaluated in the sanitary area of Ferrol, with a current population of 220,000, during a 15-year period. We describe the clinical, histopathological, and microbiological data of patients.


RESULTS
We found 6 cases of scrofuloderma with osteoarticular tuberculosis. This series includes five men and one woman, aged 37 to 80. Visceral involvement was found in 3 patients (50 %).


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoarticular tuberculosis comprises 10 % of all extrapulmonary tuberculous infections. There is a high probability of visceral involvement in patients with scrofuloderma. Underlying bone involvement should be rule out in all patients with scrofuloderma, especially in those with incomplete response to medical treatment.
Servicio de Dermatología, Complejo Hospitalario Arquitecto Marcide-Novoa Santos, Ferrol, La Coruña, España. benims@hotmail.com
B
B
Monteagudo
J F
JF
García-Rodríguez
C
C
de Las Heras
J
J
Labandeira
M
M
Ginarte
C
C
Durana
J M
JM
Cacharrón
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000150:complications; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery
D000995:Antitubercular Agents