Subcutaneous mucormycosis in a non-immunocompromised patient treated with potassium iodide

Acta Derm Venereol. 1994 May;74(3):215-6. doi: 10.2340/0001555574215216.

Abstract

A 55-year-old teacher had had painful subcutaneous swellings on both her arms for 6 years, after receiving intramuscular multivitamin injections for generalized weakness. She did not have fever, constitutional or systemic symptoms. Cutaneous examination revealed ill-defined, subcutaneous, firm, globular, indurated, tender swellings with central softening on both the arms. There was no systemic involvement or lymphadenopathy. Aspiration cytology from one of the lesions showed inflammatory exudate with a mucor-like fungus. Skin biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with fungal hyphae resembling mucor within the giant cells. The patient was diagnosed as subcutaneous mycormycosis and treated with saturated solution of potassium iodide. Both the lesions completely disappeared within 10 weeks without any side-effect of the therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy*
  • Potassium Iodide / administration & dosage
  • Potassium Iodide / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Potassium Iodide