Chromoblastomycosis: an unusual cutaneous dematiaceous fungal infection

ABSTRACT

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection with a slow evolution, caused by dematiaceous fungi inducing skin lesions being difficult to treat and have frequent recurrences. The clinicopathological features and diagnosis of one such case is reported here to share our experience with others. A nine years old male with a three years history of a slowly spreading painless skin lesion involving the whole of right cheek and nose. The patient gave a typical history of trauma in that region followed by a dark red skin eruption, which gradually grew to form erythematous papule. Physical examination revealed large hyperkeratotic, raised, thick crusted, verrucous plaques with areas of scaring and ulceration on the right cheek and nose extending down in a tumorous fashion. A small scaly lesion was observed next to the right eyebrow. However, the borders of the lesion were well defined and the surrounding skin was normal. No lymphadenopathy was seen