Cervical and middle dorsal actinomycetomas from Guerrero State, Mexico.

Abstract

Mycetomas are frequent subcutaneous mycoses with typical clinical characteristics such as sinuses, blood-stained, serous, or purulent exudates as well as local swelling. Even though the most commonly affected areas are the lower limbs, we report four cases affecting the neck and midback regions, of which three were young females. We draw attention to the importance of early identification of these cases for prevention and specific treatment in order to avoid severe consequences or irreversible complications such as quadriplegia. To document the occurrence of cervical spine and middle dorsal thoracic mycetomas, as well as their severity, clinical manifestations, and secondary complications. This was an observational and descriptive study in which we reviewed cases with neck and middle dorsal thoracic mycetomas diagnosed at the Acapulco General Hospital of Guerrero State, Mexico. We describe the cases including the mechanism of inoculation, neurological symptoms, and severity. We describe three cases initially diagnosed clinically as cervical mycetomas and one in the middle dorsal thoracic region. All the cases were diagnosed at the Acapulco General Hospital of Guerrero State in Mexico.