A surgeon's trial success of curing pedal eumycetoma

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Jul 28;16(7):e218559. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-218559.

Abstract

Mycetoma is a chronic infection of underlying fungal (eumycetoma) or bacterial (actinomycetoma) origin. It is characterised by a clinical triad of tumour-like swelling, actively draining sinuses and macroscopic grains of characteristic colours.We the case of a 66-year-old woman on immunosuppressive therapy presenting with eumycetoma of the foot (Madura foot). The fungal organism cultured was Acrophialophora fusisporaThis case was managed with a combination of extensive surgical debridement, and packing with calcium sulfate (Stimulan) beads impregnated with vancomycin and voriconazole. As far as the authors are aware, this is a novel adjunct to the surgical treatment of deep fungal infection in the foot.Eumycetoma treated with surgery and oral antifungal therapy leads to cure rates of 25%-35%. This novel treatment seems to bear further investigation for the potential to improve cure rates. At 8 months follow-up, our patient appears to be making good progress with no current signs of recurrence.

Keywords: Drugs and medicines; Migration and health; Orthopaedics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Mycetoma* / diagnosis
  • Mycetoma* / drug therapy
  • Mycetoma* / surgery
  • Surgeons*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents