A five-year experience of mycetoma in a tertiary health care centre with review of literature

Mycetoma is a tropical disease which is characterised by extensive tissue involvement which if untreated results in localized destruction, deformities and disabilities. Mycetomas are caused by different species of fungi and bacteria which have different diagnostic features and different treatment modalities. This study was a three-year retrospective and two-year prospective study conducted on 34 patients including all their relevant history, clinical details and radiological investigations and results of final diagnosis by FNA, histopathological and Culture. This study was conducted with the primary objective of observing the different clinicopathological, radiological and microbiological features of mycetoma cases with emphasis of different diagnostic methods and their utility in accurate diagnosis. Overall findings revealed a Male: Female Ratio of 2.7:1 with most cases being adults (20,58.8%) and foot being commonly involved (14,41.1%) with a mean duration of > 6 months. 28 cases (82.3%) were of eumycetoma while 6 cases (17.6%) were of Actinomycetoma. 26 cases (76.4%) which on cytology showed mixed inflammatory infiltrate with clumps of fibrillar organisms while histologically, suppurative granulomas surrounding characteristic grains along with inflammatory infiltrates were noted in most cases. Early recognition of clinical features with timely diagnosis followed by initiation of appropriate therapy as well as social awareness, and education of people at risk is equally important to prevent lifelong damage.