Orbital Actinomycetoma with cranial extension: A rare case report

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease that commonly affects the lower extremity. The disease is attributed to subcutaneous granulomatous inflammation leading to distinct clinical features of gradual painless swelling accompanied by nodules and drains. Orbital mycetoma is an extremely rare entity of the disease. We reported the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical outcomes in a case of orbital mycetoma with cranial extension.

A 25-years-old male complained of left eye protrusion for 8 years, followed by complete loss of vision on the left eye for 7 years and eventually left eye pain for the last year. The left eye was displaced anteriorly and inferiorly with normal oculomotor, abducent, and trochlear examination. Brain CT scan showed an increase in orbital bone thickness with extension to the anterior cranial base, middle cranial base, and the orbital process of the zygomatic bone. MRI revealed a large lesion involving the left frontotemporal region with extension to left orbit, left posterior ethmoid air cells, and left temporal suprasellar region. The lesion was homogenously enhanced with contrast. The patient underwent a left orbitozygomatic cranitomy for resection of the lesion. However, total resection was inapplicable due to the extension of the bony lesion up to the petrous bone. Cranioplasty was performed by titanium mesh.

Mycetoma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting subcutaneous tissues commonly in the lower limbs. The disease can be caused by fungi (Eumycetoma) or bacteria (Actinomycetoma). Orbital mycetoma is an extremely rare entity of the disease. However, it is commonly associated with the cranial extension. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical and medical treatment are the keys to good outcomes.