What do you understand by lupus vulgaris?
Lupus vulgaris is a cellular new growth, characterized by variously-sized, soft, reddish-brown, papular, tubercular and infiltrated patches, usually terminating in ulceration and scarring.
Upon what region is lupus vulgaris usually observed?
The face, especially the nose, but any part may be invaded. The area involved may be small or quite extensive, usually the former.
At what age is the disease noted?
In many cases it begins in childhood or early adult life, but as it is persistent and tends to relapse, it may be met with at any age.
Describe the earlier symptoms of lupus vulgaris.
The disease begins by the development of several or more pin-head to small pea-sized, deep-seated, brownish-red or yellowish tubercles, having their seat in the deeper part of the corium, and which are somewhat softer and looser in texture than normal tissue. As the disease progresses, variously-sized and shaped aggregations or patches result, covered with thin and imperfectly-formed epidermis.
What changes do the lupus tubercles or infiltrations undergo?
The lesions, having attained a certain size or development, may remain so for a time, but sooner or later retrogressive changes occur: the matured papules or tubercles, or infiltrated patches, slowly disappear by absorption, fatty degeneration, and exfoliation, leaving a yellowish or brownish pigmentation, usually with more or less atrophy or cicatricial-tissue formation—lupus exfoliativus; or disintegration and destruction result, terminating in ulceration—lupus exedens, lupus exulcerans. This latter is the more usual course.