Subcutaneous phycomycosis presenting with multiple swellings

Abstract

Subcutaneous phycomycosis is a chronic fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. Phycomycosis due to B. ranarum is sporadic in nature with a few case reports from South India. The disease usually occurs in children, predominantly affecting males. Diagnosis is based on histopathology and culture. We herewith report a case of subcutaneous phycomycosis in a 12-year-old male child who presented with multiple painless swellings involving the right buttock and thigh which was misdiagnosed and treated with surgical resection and antituberculous therapy with no response by local doctors. Subsequently, we made a diagnosis of subcutaneous phycomycosis, and he was started on itraconazole therapy that has resulted in complete resolution.

Keywords

• Basidiobolus ranarum
• itraconazole
• subcutaneous phycomycosis