Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycotic cysts caused by Exophiala jeanselmei in a lung transplant patient.

BACKGROUND

Phaeohyphomycosis is a skin fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi that often affects immunocompromised patients. Local recurrence after medication or surgical treatment is common in these patients. We present a case in which a 42-year-old woman status post-bilateral lung transplant developed phaeohyphomycotic cysts with local recurrence and then was successfully treated by local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the utility of pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole in immunocompromised patients with recurrent phaeohyphomycosis.

METHODS

Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole treatment.

RESULTS

Simple excision or excision with postsurgery oral itraconazole resulted in local recurrence in this patient. Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole was effective in preventing the local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Phaeohyphomycosis can run a prolonged course in immunocompromised patients with multiple recurrences. Local excision with pre- and postsurgery oral itraconazole can be used to treat these patients with recurrent phaeohyphomycosis.