title: Parasitic rheumatism: rheumatic manifestations associated with calcified guinea worm.
abstract: We prospectively studied 20 Saudi and Yamani patients with calcified guinea worm who presented with different rheumatic manifestations. Localized myalgia (55%), chronic monoarthralgia (35%) and chronic synovitis of the knee (10%) were the main presentations. Two cases with synovial fluid eosinophilia were seen. In spite of the absence of active infestation, the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings suggested the possibility of a causal relationship. The condition should be considered among other causes of parasitic rheumatism particularly in endemic areas.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D004320:Dracunculiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology