Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycotic cysts caused by Exophiala jeanselmei in a lung transplant patient.
BACKGROUND
Phaeohyphomycosis is a skin fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that often affects immunocompromised patients. Local recurrence after medication or surgical treatment is common in these patients. We present a case in which a 42-year-old woman status post-bilateral lung transplant developed phaeohyphomycotic cysts with local recurrence and then was successfully treated by local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the utility of pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole in immunocompromised patients with recurrent phaeohyphomycosis.


METHODS
Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole treatment.


RESULTS
Simple excision or excision with postsurgery oral itraconazole resulted in local recurrence in this patient. Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole was effective in preventing the local recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Phaeohyphomycosis can run a prolonged course in immunocompromised patients with multiple recurrences. Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole can be used to treat these patients with recurrent phaeohyphomycosis.
Xu
X
X
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founfer's Building, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. xug@mail.med.upenn.edu
Low
D W
DW
Palevsky
H I
HI
Elenitsas
R
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005093:Exophiala; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D012008:Recurrence
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole