When Mycetoma goes beyond the skin a Case Report

Noemi daniela Cabral, Maria del rosario Flores

Julio Cecilio Perrando Hospital. Resistencia, Chaco. Residency in Pulmonology

Correspondence: Mariadelrosario Flores Institución: Hospital Julio Cecilio Perrando.

Received: November 22, 2025                               Published: January 10, 2026

Citation: Maria del rosario Flores. When Mycetoma goes beyond the skin a Case report. AOJ Emerg and Int Med. 2026;1(4):129–131.

Copyright: ©2026 Maria del rosario Flores. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.

Keywords: Mycetoma, non-can cerous mediastinal dissemination, Splendore–Hoeppli.

Introduction 

Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive granulomatous infectious disease that affects multiple organs and systems. It may be caused by different species of bacteria (most commonly Nocardia brasiliensis) or fungi. It typically involves the lower limbs, affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and occasionally muscles and bones. Depending on its location, it may disseminate to the thoracic or abdominal cavities or to other regions of the body. The resulting deformities can lead to functional impairment and disability, making it a public health concern, with a 4:1 male-to-female ratio. 

The disease is thought to be acquired through traumatic inoculation of the causative agents into the subcutaneous tissue. These microorganisms are considered soil contaminants, especially in tropical areas, and are prevalent among rural workers. In Argentina, it is endemic in the northwestern region. It is most often observed in populations with low socioeconomic status, poor nutrition, precarious living conditions, and limited access to health care. Lesions produced by the inoculating agents may cause significant disability.