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Tinea mammae mimicking atopic eczema
U Böhmer1, P Gottlöber, H C Korting
1Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
Mycoses
|December 23, 1998
Summary
Tinea mammae, a rare fungal breast infection, can mimic other skin conditions. This case study details a successful fluconazole treatment for an elderly man, confirmed by sonography.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Tinea mammae is a rare fungal infection affecting the breast, often presenting with symptoms that can be mistaken for other skin conditions.
- Dermatophyte infections typically affect glabrous skin, but breast involvement is infrequently documented.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and to prevent misdiagnosis of other dermatoses.
Observation:
- An 85-year-old male presented with a 3-week history of an enlarging erythematous lesion on his left breast.
- The causative agent, Trichophyton rubrum, was identified.
- High-frequency digital sonography indicated reduced dermal echogenicity and widening of the corium.
Findings:
- The patient was treated with a 5-week course of oral fluconazole.
- Clinical resolution of the breast lesion was observed post-treatment.
- Sonographic examination revealed normalization of the dermal echogenicity and width, with no discernible difference between the affected and unaffected skin.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering tinea mammae in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions, even in atypical presentations.
- Sonography can be a valuable tool in assessing the extent and resolution of tinea mammae.
- Effective antifungal therapy, such as fluconazole, can successfully treat this rare fungal infection.