Cutaneous Tuberculous Sinus Tract: A Case Report

Jiefang Gu,1 Siyan Chen,1 Maogen Ye,1 Ye Tian,2 Xian Chen,3 Hongbin Cheng,4 Tianhao Li4 1Department of Dermatology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Sichuan Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pathology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Tianhao Li, Department of Dermatology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, Email litianhao_doctor@163.com Hongbin Cheng, Department of Dermatology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, Email chenghongbin@cdutcm.edu.cnAbstract: An 88-year-old female patient presented with a persistent ulcer in the right flank region following incision and drainage of an abscess. After the relevant examinations and debridement procedures, a deep internal sinus tract approximately 2– 3 cm in length was discovered, extending to the lateral border of the external intercostal muscles. Based on local histopathological examination including the tuberculosis PCR, the condition was diagnosed as a cutaneous tuberculous sinus tract caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Cutaneous tuberculosis is a relatively uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, primarily affecting the skin and subcutaneous soft tissues. The patient has recovered well following an anticipated nine-month course of triple anti-tuberculosis therapy without pyrazinamide. To date, no literature reports have documented persistent deep skin fistulas resulting from this disease.Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, chronic sinus, deep-seated, skin infection