Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis: a clinicopathological study

Abstract

Background: Phaeohyphomycosis is a subcutaneous or systemic infection characterized histologically by dark-colored fungal hyphae. With the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, the incidence of the disease has increased recently. The objective of the study is to emphasize the role of histopathology in the diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis. Methods: The biopsy specimens of seven cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis were examined using routine and special stains. The clinical presentation in these cases was also evaluated. Results and Conclusions: Diagnosis was made in all cases by demonstration of fungal structures. Histopathology is an important tool in the diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis. Phaeohyphomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suppurative granulomatous inflammation presenting as subcutaneous nodules. Fine needle aspiration cytology can also be used as a diagnostic method.

Phaeohyphomycosis breast masquerading as fibroadenoma in a young teenage girl

“…In the present case, the species delineated was Exophiala dermatitidis . It presents as a disseminated disease or as focal involvement of one or more systems: sinusitis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous lump, corneal inflammation, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, cerebral abscesses, lung, heart and skin . The rare case involving hard palate has been reported by Yeshwent et al The present case presented with a lump in the breast which is extremely rare and on the extensive literature search, no case with similar presentation could be found on FNAC.…”

“…The distinguishing feature is the presence of sclerotic bodies (brown pigmented, planate‐dividing, rounded) in tissue section in chromoblastomycosis and mycotic grains in mycetoma . The skin is usually uninvolved in Phaeohyphomycosis whereas in mycetoma a draining sinus discharging necrotic fungal granules is a common presentation . The present case had an absence of draining sinuses and overlying skin was normal.…”

“…One tube was incubated at 258C while the other was 1 The skin is usually uninvolved in Phaeohyphomycosis whereas in mycetoma a draining sinus discharging necrotic fungal granules is a common presentation. 4 The present case had an absence of draining sinuses and overlying skin was normal. About >100 species are known to cause Phaeohyphomycosis.…”

“…It presents as a disseminated disease or as focal involvement of one or more systems: sinusitis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous lump, corneal inflammation, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, cerebral abscesses, lung, heart and skin. [1][2][3][4][5] The rare case involving hard palate has been reported by Yeshwent et al 6 The pres- We report a rare case of phaeohyphomycosis presenting as a breast lump masquerading as fibroadenoma which has not been reported in the literature. The awareness of such organisms in cytology smears will fasten the diagnosis leading to early treatment which is a necessity, especially in disseminated cases as the disease has high morbidity and mortality.…”

Subcutaneous Pheohyphomycois-A rare mycotic infection from a North Himalayan State of India diagnosed on cytopathology

“…Clinically, it presents as localized infections of skin, subcutis, or systemic involving the central nervous system, eyes, or bones. [12] It is considered to be an opportunistic fungus commonly reported in immunocompromised patients which may spread from the primary infected site to other organs resulting in increased mortality. Therefore, its early diagnosis is essential to prevent further complications.…”