ULTRASOUND IMAGING IN MYCETOMA AND CORRELATION WITH MRI & CT

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection predominantly affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and bones, most commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions. It is associated with signicant morbidity due to delayed diagnosis and management. Non-invasive imaging plays an important role in early detection, differentiation between actinomycetoma and eumycetoma, and planning treatment strategies. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the sonographic features of foot mycetoma, with a particular focus on the "dot-in-circle" sign, and to correlate these ndings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the extent of disease involvement. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on ten patients clinically suspected to have foot mycetoma. All patients underwent ultrasound imaging, MRI, and CT scans. Imaging ndings were recorded systematically and correlated with histopathological and microbiological conrmation wherever available. Results: The "dot-in-circle" sign was detected in all patients on both ultrasound and MRI. CT imaging was particularly effective in identifying cortical bone erosions and periosteal reactions, with bone involvement detected in nine out of ten cases. Actinomycetoma was found to be more common than eumycetoma in the studied population. Conclusion: Ultrasonography, complemented by MRI and CT, provides a non-invasive, reliable, and efcient method for the early diagnosis and staging of mycetoma. Recognition of characteristic imaging features can facilitate prompt management, potentially preventing severe complications and disability in affected individuals.