Phycomycosis: a cause of bronchial obstruction

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Phycomycosis, a rare fungal infection, can manifest as endobronchial disease.
• Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for certain fungal infections.

Observation:

• A case of a diabetic patient with an obstructing mycetoma in the right bronchus intermedius caused by Phycomycetes is presented.
• Literature review identified eight prior cases of endobronchial phycomycosis, predominantly in diabetic patients.
• These lesions were indolent and obstructive, differing from the acute presentation in leukemic patients.

Findings:

• Diabetic patients with phycomycosis present with indolent, obstructing bronchial lesions.
• Complications can be lethal, including pulmonary artery erosion.
• Differential diagnoses include mucoid impaction, bronchocentric granulomatosis, and mycotic bronchitis.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for localized bronchial phycomycosis.
• Understanding the distinct clinical presentation in diabetics is important for appropriate management.
• Further research into phycomycosis in immunocompromised individuals is warranted.