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Isolated breast mucormycosis.
V K Thapar1, A Deshpande, V K Jain
1Department of Surgery, Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai-400 012, India. drvinaythapar@hotmail.com
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
|May 9, 2006
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of breast mucormycosis in a diabetic patient. Early detection and surgical intervention are crucial for managing this aggressive fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Pathology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mucormycosis is a rare, aggressive fungal infection.
- Surgical management requires high index of suspicion for early diagnosis.
- Diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression are risk factors.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old female with diabetes and COPD presented with acute mastitis symptoms.
- Initial diagnosis was severe mastitis, treated with incision.
- Rapid progression to gangrene necessitated a mastectomy.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed mucormycosis of the breast.
- This represents the first reported case in English literature.
- Aggressive fungal infection mimicked severe bacterial mastitis.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering mucormycosis in non-healing or rapidly progressing infections.
- Emphasizes prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment for favorable outcomes.
- Raises awareness among surgeons regarding unusual presentations of mucormycosis.