Mycetoma revisited. Incidence of various radiographic signs.
OBJECTIVE
To define and quantitate various radiographic signs of mycetoma infection.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 516 randomly selected patients seen between December 1996 and December 2004 at the Mycetoma Research Centre of Khartoum University, Khartoum, Sudan. All cases were confirmed by clinical examination, initial pretreatment radiographs, and histopathology.


RESULTS
The most common abnormalities in these 516 patients were soft tissue swelling (93%), bone sclerosis (56%), bone cavities (32%), and periosteal reaction (27%). The incidence of bone expansion (22%), extrinsic cortical scalloping (22%), and fanning of the rays in 10% were reported. Osteoporosis was seen in 19%. Only 3% of the patients had normal radiographs.


CONCLUSIONS
Maximal scrutiny of radiographs alone by experienced radiologists is vital, as other imaging techniques are not available where mycetoma is prevalent.
Mycetoma Research Centre, Soba Teaching Hospital, Khartoum University, Khartoum, Sudan. drm_bagi@hotmail.com
Mohamed E
ME
Abd El-Bagi
Ahmed H
AH
Fahal
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology