Primary chromoblastomycosis of the medulla oblongata: complication of heroin addiction

Abstract

A 20-year-old male heroin addict had a sudden onset of progressive medullary dysfunction and died within 12 days. Postmortem examination disclosed mycotic granulomas due to primary chromoblastomycosis strictly limited to the medulla oblongata and adjacent leptomeninges. Similar lesions were absent outside the central nervous system. Such pathologic lesions related to narcotic addiction have not been reported previously.