Migratory facial swelling due to gnathostomiasis.

Two cases of facial gnathostomiasis in female Thai patients are described. Gnathostomiasis is caused by a roundworm, Gnathostoma spinigerum. In both patients the disease was characterised by intermittent and migratory swelling of the face. At present no effective therapy is available. Surgical removal of the parasite would be a curative treatment; it is however, rarely successful due to the parasite moving relatively rapidly within the soft tissues. The disease can be prevented by avoiding undercooked meat including fish. In endemic areas such as Southeast Asia, gnathostomiasis must be considered in cases of oro-facial swelling of otherwise unknown cause.