title: Oral eumycetoma of infancy: a rare presentation and a brief review.
abstract: Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, which may involve bone. The disease is caused by true fungi (eumycetoma) or filamentous bacteria (actinomycetoma). Both types of organism are important soil saprophytes, and therefore infection is normally acquired by traumatic inoculation of the skin by contaminated material. Clinically, mycetomas are characterized by tumefaction, draining sinuses and discharging grains. The grains are aggregates of fungal hyphae or bacterial filaments, and grain size, colour and consistency provide the initial clue to the causative organism. To our knowledge, this probably is the first case report of oral eumycetoma of infancy. Review of literature shows only ten cases of eumycetoma involving the head and neck, including the present case. Histological examinations of the biopsies were the cornerstone in the diagnosis of mycetoma. The distinction between eumycetoma and actinomycetoma is essential for treatment. Direct microscopic examination of the grain and histopathological examination, using histochemical staining will distinguish between the two. Treatment consists of long courses of antifungals and antibacterials agents, often combined with surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Abhijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India. Electronic address: sbacharya@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Swetha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Venkatesh S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Anehosur
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: Amsavardani S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tayaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S.D.M College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gopalkrishnan
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012008:Recurrence
keywords: Actinomycetoma; Black grains; Eumycetoma; Mycetoma