There is a library available called FAM:
PHP: fam - Manual
fam_cancel_monitor -- Terminate monitoring
fam_close -- Close FAM connection
fam_monitor_collection -- Monitor a collection of files in a directory for changes
fam_monitor_directory -- Monitor a directory for changes
fam_monitor_file -- Monitor a regular file for changes
fam_next_event -- Get next pending FAM event
fam_open -- Open connection to FAM daemon
fam_pending -- Check for pending FAM events
fam_resume_monitor -- Resume suspended monitoring
fam_suspend_monitor -- Temporarily suspend monitoring