Role of Surgery in the Management of Mycetoma Foot

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic suppurative granulomatous infection of skin, subcutaneous tissue and bones caused by filamentous fungi or bacteria. It is classified into two broad categories, Eumycetoma and Actinomycetoma based on the etiological agent. Eumycetoma is caused by true fungi and actinomycetoma is caused by higher filamentous bacteria The affected area will become edematous, hyperpigmented and once the bone is involved it will lead to deformity. Most commonly foot is involved but actinomycetoma can occur in cervicothoracic region, abdominal wall and perineum. The classic clinical trial of mycetoma is painless soft tissue swelling, draining sinus and extrusion of grains. Imaging like 1. X ray and 2. MRI is useful to know the involvement of bone and to know the extent of the disease. Methods: Prospective clinical study analysis of outcome of 30 patients with fungal infection of foot were evaluated on basis of their surgical management. Results: Patients with mycetoma foot in the given period whose diagnoses were confirmed with histopathological and microbiological examination were recruited. Conclusion: Mycetoma foot is a rare chronic infection which can lead to permanent deformity and needs high index of clinical suspicion for early diagnosis.