title: Can proctological procedures resolve perianal pruritus and mycosis? A prospective study of 23 cases.
abstract: Twenty-three patients with pruritus ani associated with anal mycosis underwent primary treatment of a concurrent anal disorder. The anal disorders included haemorrhoids (n = 9), fissure (n = 8), anal spasm without fissure (n = 5), and occult mucosal prolapse (n = 1). Pretreatment investigation of faeces for parasites was negative. The glucosal tolerance test and white blood cell count were normal in all cases. Culture of skin smears from the perianal region was positive for Candida only in 16 patients, Dermatophytes only in 6 and a combination of both in 1 patient. Following the appropriate proctological procedure, pruritus resolved or markedly improved in 20 patients. The remaining three patients required antifungal treatment with econazole. Two of these, however, continued to complain of pruritus. It is suggested that in patients with pruritus ani associated with perianal mycosis, antimycotic therapy should be used only if fungal infection persists after treatment of the underlying proctological disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pirone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Infantino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Melega
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pianon
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dodi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lise
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004464:Econazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011538:Pruritus Ani / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004464:Econazole