Talha Bin Saleem1, Irfan Ahmed. 1. Department of General Surgery, Airedale General Hospital, Keighley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. kittoo68@hotmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dracunculus medinensis better known as guinea worm is the longest nematode infecting humans. Mature female worms migrate along subcutaneous tissue to reach the skin below the knee forming a painful ulcerating blister. Calcified male worm can occasionally be found in the retro peritoneum. Finding of a calcified worm in the breast tissue is very rare. We report a case of a fit and well African lady who was found to have a calcified guinea worm in the breast on a mammographic examination for investigation of a breast lump. METHODS: A 51 years old female, presented in the surgical outpatient clinic with a painless irregular lump under the right nipple on clinical examination. There were no skin changes, nipple discharge or axillary lymphadenopathy. Mammogram showed a calcified Guinea worm. RESULTS: No treatment was offered and a repeat mammogram after one year showed the same findings. She was discharged from the clinic without any follow up and will be screened routinely as per national guidelines CONCLUSION: Guinea worm can be included in the differential diagnosis of the breast lump especially in the endemic areas although the finding remains very rare.
BACKGROUND:Dracunculus medinensis better known as guinea worm is the longest nematode infecting humans. Mature female worms migrate along subcutaneous tissue to reach the skin below the knee forming a painful ulcerating blister. Calcified male worm can occasionally be found in the retro peritoneum. Finding of a calcified worm in the breast tissue is very rare. We report a case of a fit and well African lady who was found to have a calcified guinea worm in the breast on a mammographic examination for investigation of a breast lump. METHODS: A 51 years old female, presented in the surgical outpatient clinic with a painless irregular lump under the right nipple on clinical examination. There were no skin changes, nipple discharge or axillary lymphadenopathy. Mammogram showed a calcified Guinea worm. RESULTS: No treatment was offered and a repeat mammogram after one year showed the same findings. She was discharged from the clinic without any follow up and will be screened routinely as per national guidelines CONCLUSION:Guinea worm can be included in the differential diagnosis of the breast lump especially in the endemic areas although the finding remains very rare.