Surgical management of colonic basidiobolomycosis among adolescent and adult patients: presentation and outcome

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to review retrospectively the clinical presentations, indications for surgery and surgical outcomes of adolescent and adult patients who were diagnosed with colonic basidiobolomycosis in the last 10 years.

Method: The study was carried out in Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia by reviewing the medical files of all patients in the last 10 years who were diagnosed with colonic basidiobolomycosis and required surgical intervention.

Results: There were 22 patients. Common findings in all patients were weight loss, abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The right colon was affected in 21 patients. The initial diagnosis was correct in seven patients while nine were thought to be malignant. All patients underwent colonic resection followed by at least 1 year of antifungal medical treatment. Intra-operatively, all patients had moderate or dense adhesions, an abdominal mass and lymphadenopathy. Most surgeons had the impression intra-operatively that the diagnosis was inflammatory rather than malignant. Postoperatively, three patients died within 6 months of the operation due to progression of the disease. Four patients developed severe wound infections, three of whom had abdominal dehiscence and required re-closure.

Conclusion: Colonic basidiobolomycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection that should be considered a surgical condition. A high index of suspicion including basidiobolomycosis in the differential diagnosis for the acute abdomen with a colonic mass is required for a proper diagnosis. Early aggressive surgical management followed by a prolonged course of itraconazole postoperatively could improve the outcome of the condition.

Keywords: Basidiobolomycosis; benign colonic mass; fungal colitis; immunocompetent.