Recurrent Botryomycosis and Management Strategy with a Follow-up of Four Years: A Case Report

Abstract

Cervicofacial botryomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous suppurative infection with varied presentations in the head and neck region. Since the discovery of this entity, treatment has been elusive without evidence of complete resolution of the lesion with a long period of follow-up. Here the authors report a case of cervicofacial botryomycosis with oral manifestations in a 37-year-old male patient with a history of trauma, for whom the authors devised a treatment plan tailored to the patient's microbiological profile after culture and sensitivity testing in addition to systemic and local antibiotic therapy and heat therapy which showed drastic regression of the lesion and an improved mouth opening. The patient has been under follow-up for the past four years without signs of recurrence. Botryomycosis is an aggressive lesion where a surgery-only approach is usually futile and requires further intervention due to recurrences. The present experience suggests surgical debridement along with antibiotic and local heat therapy to be effective in managing this usually recurring lesion.