SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF MYCETOMA

Mycetoma is a rare deep mycosis caused by certain fungi. Clinical find ings include enlargement and tumefaction of the affected region accomp anied by grains coming out of the lesions. The feet are the most frequ ently affected area. Four patients have been studied who presented wit h mycetoma of the feet. Gallium scintigraphy was always abnormal in th e affected areas and bone scintigraphy was abnormal in three of the fo ur patients. The patient who had a normal bone study had received effe ctive treatment (7 years). In the other patients the results were poor . Scintigraphic findings seem to be similar to those noted in cases of acute osteomyelitis associated with cellulitis, despite long-term the rapy. Bone and gallium studies may be of possible value for therapy fo llow-up in cases of mycetoma.