"Serpent" in the breast.

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dracunculus medinensis, or guinea worm, is the longest nematode parasite infecting humans, typically causing skin lesions below the knee.
• While calcified male worms are occasionally found in the retroperitoneum, their presence in breast tissue is exceedingly rare.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old African woman presented with a painless breast lump.
• Mammography revealed a calcified guinea worm within the breast tissue.

Findings:

• The calcified guinea worm remained unchanged on mammography after one year.
• No treatment was administered, and the patient was discharged with routine screening recommendations.

Implications:

• Guinea worm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast lumps, particularly in areas where the parasite is endemic.
• This case highlights the unusual presentations of Dracunculus medinensis infections and the importance of considering parasitic etiologies in imaging findings.