Subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis in India - a case report and review

Background Pheohyphomycosis is a rare infection caused by dematiaceous fungi, affecting the skin and subcutis, paranasal sinuses, or central nervous system. Methods A case of subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis in the lumbar region is reported. The Indian literature on subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis is also reviewed. Results In India, 23 patients with subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis have been reported, distributed throughout the country in a belt from north to south, sparing the eastern and western regions. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 60 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.3 : 1. A relatively early age of onset was observed. A history of prior injury was recalled by five patients, The lower extremities were involved in eight cases, upper extremities in five, gluteal region in two, lumbar area and submandibular area in one, face in two and disseminated disease was seen in four cases. Three of these cased died during follow up. Osteomyelitis was observed in two cases, hepatosplenomegaly in one, and lymph node involvement in two. Carcinomatous change developed in a long-standing lesion of 33 years. Thirteen species from seven genera of dematiaceous fungi were isolated. Phialophora dermatidis, was the most common isolate. Conclusions Indian patients with subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis are afflicted at an earlier age. Exophiala dermatidis seems to be associated with more fatalities. Treatment with newer azoles seems promising, and excision alone or combined with azoles is a good therapeutic modality.