Scrofuloderma of the Penis: Unveiling a Rare Case of Cutaneous Tuberculosis

Authors

  • Theo Audi Yanto Department of Internal Medicine, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
  • Edwin Raja Pardamean Lumban Tobing Department of Urology, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
  • Billie Edgara Herijanto Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
  • Jean Andrina Liem Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
  • Mohammad Zuhriansyah Sabran Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia

Keywords:

scrofuloferma, tuberculosis, penis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major worldwide health concern, with 10.4 million new cases reported each year. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) accounts for 20% of all occurrences, with cutaneous tuberculosis (CTS) accounting for just 1-2%. Scrofuloderma is the most prevalent kind of secondary CTS, and it commonly starts in the underlying lymph nodes, bones, or joints.Here, we describe the case of a 35 years old man presenting with a solitary nodule necrotic ulcer that happens 4 days before going to the hospital. The skin biopsy from the lesion was suggestive of TB scrofuloderma. Scrofuloderma typically presents as subcutaneous nodules that ulcerate and form sinus tracts. Diagnosis is challenging, often requiring histopathological confirmation due to potential negative microbiological results. In this case, the atypical penile appearance and the patient's history of an invasive operation aided in the diagnosis. Diabetes mellitus-related immune weakness increased the patient's susceptibility to cutaneous tuberculosis. This case demonstrates the wide range of cutaneous tuberculosis presentations and the significance of extensive diagnostic techniques, particularly in unusual patients. It also emphasizes the increased risk of tuberculosis in immunocompromised people, such as those with diabetes mellitus.

References

Marianto, Kosim H, Mahariski PA, Christopher PM. Update on scrofuloderma. Bali Dermatol Venereol Aesthetic J. 2019;34–41.

Brito AC de, Oliveira CMM de, Unger DAA, Bittencourt M de JS. Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic update. An Bras Dermatol. 2022;97(2):129–44.

Charifa A, Mangat R, Oakley AM. Cutaneous Tuberculosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482220/

Soeroso NN, Harina EG, Yosi A. A very rare case of scrofuloderma with multiple cervical lymphadenitis tuberculosis. Respir Med Case Rep. 2019 Apr 17;27:100842.

Zhao Z, Ma L. Chapter 45 - skin and soft tissue infections: A clinical overview. In: Tang YW, Sussman M, Liu D, Poxton I, Schwartzman J, editors. Molecular medical microbiology. Second edition [Internet]. Boston: Academic Press; 2015 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. p. 825–35. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123971692000457

Mello R, Vale E, Baeta I. Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge - PMC [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6360976/

Vashist P, Sahoo B, Khurana N, Reddy B. Cutaneous tuberculosis in children and adolescents: a clinicohistological study - Vashisht - 2007 - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology - Wiley Online Library [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01858.x

Amar T. Scrofuloderma: A Rare Case Report on Cutaneous Tuberculosis. CMRCR [Internet]. 2020 Dec 4 [cited 2024 Jul 19]; Available from: https://www.clinmedjournals.org/articles/cmrcr/clinical-medical-reviews-and-case-reports-cmrcr-7-330.php?jid=cmrcr

Rahangdale V, Bombaywala I, Gaikwad N, Khotle A, Singh A. Occurrence of extensive scrofuloderma in an immunocompromised child: a rare case report. J Clin Diagn Res [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 19]; Available from: https://www.jcdr.net//article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2023&volume=17&issue=3&page=WD01&issn=0973-709x&id=17649

Miranda E, Widaty S, Sirait S, Rizky L, Menaldi S, Lim H. Correlation between clinical and histopathological findings of five puzzling cases of cutaneous tuberculosis. J Gen-Proced Dermatol Venereol Indones. 2020 Dec 31;5(1):48–55.

Hill MK, Sanders CV. Cutaneous tuberculosis. Microbiol Spectr. 2017 Feb 24;5(1):10.1128/microbiolspec.tnmi7-0010–2016.

Krishna S, Jacob JJ. Diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000 [cited 2024 Jul 19]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570126/

Downloads

Published

2025-04-15

How to Cite

Yanto, T. A., Tobing, E. R. P. L., Herijanto, B. E., Liem, J. A., & Sabran, M. Z. (2025). Scrofuloderma of the Penis: Unveiling a Rare Case of Cutaneous Tuberculosis. Acta Medica Indonesiana, 57(1), 124. Retrieved from https://actamedindones.org/index.php/ijim/article/view/2921

Issue

Section

MEDICAL ILLUSTRATION