Cytological Diagnosis of Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis Masquerading as Lipoma in a Known Case of Lepromatous Leprosy

Abstract

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is a rare disease, caused by organisms like Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a simple and well established tool for the diagnosis of mycotic infections. We report a case of forearm swelling that presented clinically as lipoma in a known case of lepromatous leprosy. It was diagnosed as primary cutaneous aspergillosis on FNAC, which was subsequently confirmed on culture. Cutaneous aspergillosis co-existing with leprosy has rarely been reported in the literature and early diagnosis of aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients is mandatory.

Keywords

• fine needle aspiration cytology
• fungal infection
• immunocompromised host