Chromoblastomycosis of the auricle: A rare cause of ear deformity

Chromoblastomycosis is a slowly progressing fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic implantation of dematiaceous (brown) fungi. This condition frequently affects the lower extremities. We report the case of a 65-year-old farmer who presented with a pruritic undiagnosed erythematous scaly plaque over the left ear for 18 years. A preceding history of trauma, presence of sclerotic bodies on potassium hydroxide mount, macroscopic and microscopic culture characteristics helped in establishing the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi. We report this case for the rarity of the site of involvement of the disease and to highlight the importance of considering chromoblastomycosis as a differential diagnosis for a chronic deforming lesion of the auricle.