Concurrent cutaneous and skeletal tuberculosis presenting as multifocal extrapulmonary disease: A case report

Tuberculosis continues to pose a significant health burden in developing nations such as India, contributing to nearly one-third of tuberculosis cases globally. The cutaneous form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, though not life-threatening, poses a diagnostic challenge due to its varied clinical presentation and low incidence; delayed treatment may result in irreversible scarring. Metastatic tuberculous abscesses are more commonly observed in individuals with compromised immune status. Concurrent involvement of the skin and skeletal system as a manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is rarely reported. Herein, we present a patient with multiple skin abscesses and skeletal involvement, complicated by chronic hepatitis B infection, to emphasize the need to consider tuberculosis, particularly in patients unresponsive to standard antibiotic therapy and the importance of early recognition for timely diagnosis and effective management.