PubMed · 6462771
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
W S Symmers. 1984. Museum piece.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6462771/
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
BACKGROUND: Chromomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by various dematiaceous fungi, the most common of which is Fonsecaea pedrosoi. The disease is difficult to treat. METHODS: Twenty-two chromomycosis patients treated by cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen as the sole or associated therapy were studied. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct examination of KOH cleared specimens, culture, and histology, according to a method previously described by Pimentel et al. (Pimentel ERA, Castro LGM, Cucé LC, Sampaio SAP. Treatment of chromomycosis by cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1989; 15: 72-77). Small lesions were frozen in a single session, whilst larger lesions were frozen in small parts. All patients received double freeze-thaw cycles. An author-created severity index, based on the extent of the diseased area, number of lesions, presence of complications (lymphedema, ulceration, and secondary infection) and unresponsiveness to previous treatments, was used to determine disease severity. RESULTS: Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated from all but one patient. Caucasian (50.0%) males (4.5 : 1.0) were most commonly affected. The average number of cryosurgery sessions per patient was 6.7, varying from one to 22 sessions. The duration of treatment lasted for up to 126 months. Nine patients (40.9%) were considered to be cured (clinically disease-free period of at least 3 years), eight (36.4%) were under observation (clinically disease-free but less than 3 years of follow-up), two (9.1%) were under treatment (still with active lesions), and three (13.6%) were classified as unsuccessful. The average cure period was 7.5 years, varying from 3 to 16 years. Five (55.6%) of the nine cured patients had been cured for periods exceeding 9 years. Six (66.7%) of the nine cured patients were classified as having mild, two (22.2%) severe, and one (11.1%) moderate disease. CONCLUSIONS: Cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen is an option in the treatment of chromomycosis.
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.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.