[Concurrent mycetoma and chromomycosis: case report from Senegal]

Abstract

A 68-year-old cattle farmer from northern Senegal sought medical attention for tumefaction that had been progressing on the right foot and leg for 20 years. Physical examination of the right extremity revealed very firm tumefaction involving the foot and whole leg associated with numerous nodules. Bone radiographs and CT-scan of the foot and leg disclosed extensive osteolytic involvement. A specimen of squamous tissue from the top of nodules showed the presence of fumagoid cells characteristic of chromomycosis. Histologic examination after skin biopsy demonstrated fungal myocetoma. Due to the extent of involvement surgical and antifungal treatment was proposed but the patient refused to undergo surgery. Only one previous case of concurrent chromomycosis and mycetoma has been described. However the previous case involved actinomycetoma. The rarity of this combination of diseases despite their common contamination mode is due to different geographical distribution with mycetoma being found in the Sahelian region and chromomycosis in the humid equatorial region.