Prise en charge chirurgicale des cancers du sein au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angondjé, à Libreville au Gabon

Objectif : Déterminer la fréquence, le pronostic et la morbidité des patientes opérées pour cancer du sein.Matériel et Méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique, sur une période de trois ans, allant de janvier 2013 à janvier 2017. Elle a porté sur les patientes opérées pour cancer du sein dans le service de gynécologie obstétrique et à l'Institut de Cancérologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angondjé (CHUA) de Libreville. Les informations recueillies ont été analysées à l'aide du logiciel R. Résultats : Un total de 51 patientes a été colligé. La moyenne d'âge des patientes était de 50 ans avec des extrêmes de 27 et 88 ans. Le délai moyen de consultation était de 56 semaines avec des extrêmes de 3 et 288 semaines. Le délai moyen entre la consultation et la preuve histologique était de 60 semaines avec des extrêmes de 2 et 288 semaines. Au moment du diagnostic, 65,2 % des patientes étaient au stade III de la classification de l'Union Internationale Contre le Cancer et 66% avaient un carcinome canalaire infiltrant. La mastectomie totale selon Madden et le curage ganglionnaire ont été réalisés respectivement dans 78,4% et 86,3 des cas. L'envahissement ganglionnaire a été constaté dans 60% des femmes. En tout, 33,3% des patientes ont présenté des complications post-opératoires, dont 13,7% de lymphocèle.Conclusion : la prise en charge chirurgicale des cancers du sein est dominée par la mastectomie modifiée type Madden, avec une faible morbidité post opératoire

La parathyroïdectomie dans le traitement de l'hyperparathyroïdie secondaire chez les dialysés chroniques

Introduction: L'hyperparathyroïdie secondaire est une complication grave de l'insuffisance rénale chronique, ayant un impact négatif sur la morbi-mortalité. La parathyroïdectomie trouve toute son indication en cas d'échec du traitement médical. Le but de cette étude était de partager notre expérience dans la prise en charge de l'hyperparathyroïdie secondaire et de présenter les caractéristiques démographiques, biochimiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des patients opérés dans notre service. Matériels et Méthodes : Etude d'une série de cas consécutifs opérés entre janvier 2002 et décembre 2013. Etaient inclus tous les patients ayant présenté une hyperparathyroïdie secondaire prouvée biologiquement et remplissant les critères d'opérabilité. Résultats : La série était composée de 69 patients (35 femmes, 34 hommes). La moyenne d'âge était de 37,7 ±13 ans. Le tableau clinique était dominé par les signes osseux et cutanés. En préopératoire, la valeur moyenne de la PTH était de 1727 ± 1380,10 pg/mL et celle de la calcémie de 2,39 ± 0,28 mmol/L. Sur le plan chirurgical, la parathyroïdectomie était subtotale chez 60 patients (87%) et totale chez 9 patients (13%) dont 7 avec auto transplantation et 2 sans autotransplantation. En post opératoire, la valeur de la PTH avait baissé significativement par rapport à la valeur préopératoire (p<0,01). Conclusion : Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la parathyroïdectomie entre les mains d'experts est un moyen efficace pour réduire la sécrétion de PTH avec une faible morbi-mortalité dans le cadre de l'hyperparathyroïdie secondaire réfractaire au traitement médical

A review of the epidemiology, post-neurosurgical closure complications and outcomes of neonates with open spina bifida

Background. Spina bifida (SB) is a neural tube defect (NTD) that has an increased risk of fatal and disabling effects if not repaired early, i.e. within the first 24 to 48 hours of life. Its diagnosis holds an increased burden for the patient and the caregiver owing to secondary complications. The effects of the disease are detrimental even with early repair, because of the long-term disabling nature of the disease.Objective. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effects of demographics, immediate post-surgical complications and impact of time to surgical intervention on the outcome of neonates with open SB (OSB) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (SA), between January 2011 and December 2015.Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted at the NICU of IALCH. All neonates diagnosed with SB were identified. The study period was from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015. Data were collected from the IALCH electronic database. All neonates with SB admitted to the IALCH NICU were included; any patient who presented beyond the neonatal period (i.e. >28 days) was excluded from the study. Data collected included maternal demographics. Additionally, neonatal history was reviewed and post surgery complications evaluated. Outpatient management post discharge was reviewed.Results. One hundred and fifty neonates were included (58% male). The mean (standard deviation) maternal age was 26.7 (6.6) years. Only 10% had an antenatal diagnosis of OSB. Seventy-eight percent were born at term and 22% prematurely. The lumbar/sacral region was the most commonly affected. More males (14%) had thoraco/lumbar lesions than females (7.8%). Forty-eight percent presented before 3 days of life (early presentation). In the late-presentation group, there was an association with wound sepsis (p=0.003). Twenty-five percent were repaired between days 0 and 3 of life and 75% after 3 days. Postoperative complications in patients whose open SBs were repaired beyond 3 days of life were not statistically significant compared with those with early repair; all were p>0.05. There was a borderline association of prolonged hospitalisation with wound sepsis (p=0.07). Long-term outcomes showed that 68% had lower limb dysfunction, 18% urological complications, 14% limb deformity, and 11% hydrocephalus. A minority had psychomotor (7%) and developmental (15%) disorders. Ten percent required readmission secondary to shunt complications, and 7% died. Conclusion. SB remains a significant disease burden that affects outcome and survival of neonates in SA. Lack of good antenatal care, which includes early ultrasound and timely referral to centres, are barriers to good outcomes. Long-term follow-up is also necessary to prevent morbidity

STEMI et ses complications durant la pandémie de COVID 19

Nous rapportons le cas clinique de S.L, admis aux urgences pour la prise en charge d'une douleur thoracique en relation avec un STEMI antérieur étendu et une contamination suspectée par COVID 19. Le patient a subi une thrombolyse compliquée d'une hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne. L a prise en charge des STEMI et COVID 19 reste régie par les différentes manage

Bone marrow invasion by aspergillus specie in a sickle cell trait patient with invasive aspergillosis: a fatal case in association with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Background: Invasive aspergillosis has been predominantly associated with pulmonary infection, particularly amongst immunocompromised individuals. Extrapulmonary infections with Aspergillus specie have been reported rarely irrespective of immune status. Risk factors for invasive aspergillosis include prolonged and severe neutropenia, haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation, advanced AIDS, and chronic granulomatous disease. The most frequently involved specie is Aspergillus fumigatus that constitutes over 90% of cases, followed by Aspergillus flavus, usually associated with a primary skin infection. Haematogenous spread to the bone causing osteomyelitis is the commonest form of disseminated aspergillosis and a surprisingly high proportion of these patients have no immunosuppression. We present a rare case of bone marrow invasion by Aspergillusspp. in a 3-year-old patient with sickle cell trait and chronic Aspergillosis. Case report: A 3-year-old patient with sickle cell trait was brought to the paediatric unit with recurrent diarrhoea, abdominal distention, weight loss and persistent cough. The child was severely wasted with generalised peripheral lymphadenopathy. She had marked respiratory distress and hepatosplenomegaly but no demonstrable ascites. Haematologic examination revealed leukaemoid reaction (leukocyte count of 44.0 x 109/L) with monocytosis (10%) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count of 97,000/mm3); no blast cells were seen on blood film. The bone marrow was hypercellular with a myeloid/erythroid ratio of 20:1, consistent with infection. Bone Marrow culture yielded Aspergillus spp. and other results of sepsis work up were negative. Conclusion: Cases of extrapulmonary invasive aspergillosis have been reported rarely in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Haematogenous spread to the bone is the commonest form of disseminated disease

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss in platinum miners: what do the data tell us?

Background: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is one of the most common occupational health diseases affecting miners in South Africa. Accurate and appropriate medical data are essential for making valid diagnoses. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the electronic records of a South African platinum mine's audiometry medical surveillance system and their role in early diagnosis of ONIHL. Ear-related conditions of affected miners, occupations, and noise levels were concurrently reviewed, and the characteristics of miners with and without ONIHL were described. Methods: This was an analysis of secondary data from the electronic audiometry and employee occupational records of 305 platinum mine workers for the period 2014 to 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Although the audiometry records contained appropriate and relevant data, including annual hearing screening percentage loss of hearing (PLH) shifts, there was evidence of inaccurate and insufficient recording of risk factors for hearing loss in the medical surveillance records. The records indicated that the miners in some occupations were exposed to dangerously high noise levels, exceeding 85 dB(A). Miners as young as 21 years of age were diagnosed with ONIHL. Conclusion: The insufficient and inaccurate data captured in the miners' records has important implications for the mine's efficient implementation of hearing conservation programme (HCP) elements aimed at mitigating ONIHL. The hazardous noise levels recorded call for increased attempts to meet noise level regulations, while the presence of conditions such as pseudohypacusis highlights the need for exploration of more reliable assessment measures

Management of catheter-associated urethral strictures

Background: Urethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing or loss of distensibility of any segment of the urethra surrounded by corpus spongiosum. In the last two decades, there has been a change in the pattern of aetiology of urethral stricture in urban centres in Nigeria with a shift away from post-infective strictures to the emergence of traumatic and iatrogenic causes.Objective: This study aims to present our observation of the occurrence of long-segment urethral strictures in patients after urethral catheter placement for various indications.Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross sectional report of patients who presented to and were managed at the Urology Unit of a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria. Relevant information were retrieved from patients' case notes and the data was entered into a proforma and analysed using the SPSS 20 software.Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.4 ± 19.4 years, with a range of 11-80 years. Indications for urethral catheterization were acute urine retention 11 (43.8%), intra-operative urine output monitoring 9 (28.1%), following road traffic accident 10(31.2%), unconsciousness secondary to meningitis 1 (3.1%) and after urologic surgery 1 (3.1%). Urethral catheterization was carried out in peripheral hospitals in 19 (56.3%) patients; and from the hospitals operating room in 10 (31.2%), accident and emergency room 2 (6.3%) and trauma centre 1 (3.1%). Strictures were panurethral in 22 (68.75%), in the bulbar urethra in 6 (18.75%) and in the penile urethra 4 (12.5%). The length of strictures ranged from 1 cm to 20 cm. Treatments offered included substitution urethroplasty using oral mucosa grafts (OMG) urethroplasty 30 (93.8%), fasciocutaneous penile flap 1 (3.1%) and direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU)1 (3.1%). Satisfactory voiding was recorded in 28 (87.5%), voiding was unsatisfactory in 2 (6.3%), while one patient had stricture recurrence and another one is awaiting second stage repair.Conclusion: Urethral catheterization is an emerging cause of panurethral strictures in our practice and may occur even after relief of acute urine retention but more worrisome following short-term catheterization during surgery. There is need for evaluation of the quality of silicone-coated latex urethral catheters currently available

Frequency and determinants of ocular trauma in the Kimpese Rural Health Zone, Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of Congo

Context and objective. Ocular trauma is very common and its etiological factors vary by region and age group. This study aims to describe the magnitude and determinants of ocular trauma complications in rural areas. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted for ocular trauma at Kimpese Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of ocular trauma complications. The statistical significance level is p˂ 0.05. Results. A total of 223 patients were included. The majority of participants were men (69.5%), over 18 years of age (70%), with poor visual acuity (57.8%) and bilateral ocular involvement (51.1%). Plant objects (44.8%) and metal objects (15.2%) were the most common traumatic agents. After treatment, an improvement in visual acuity was observed in 64.3% of patients with previously poor visual acuity (p < 0.001). The delay of care > 7 days [aOR: 2.286 (95% CI: 1.302-4.012), p=0.004] and the poor visual acuity on admission [aOR: 5.906 (95% CI: 3.231-10.796), p< 0.0001] emerged as determinants of the onset of complications. Conclusion. Awareness-raising efforts for early consultation after ocular trauma and integration of eye care at the primary level should be promoted for efficiency in care

Pre-eclampsia at Laquintinie hospital (Douala): survey of prevalence and morbidity from 2010 to 2015

Objective: to determine the prevalence of pre-eclampsia and describe its complications at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study with retrospective data collection for 03 months (January 18, 2016 to April 18, 2016) from the records of pregnant women received at the gynecology-obstetrics department over a 6-year period from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015 at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. We identified pregnant women with BP≥140 / 90 mmHg combined with proteinuria> 0.3g / 24h or significant albuminuria (2+) on urine strips after 20 weeks of amenorrhea. Results: Of the 17644 deliveries recorded during our study period, we found 1080 cases of PE, a frequency of 6.12%. PE was common among primi-parous women (46.7%) in the age group [20-29] years. Pregnant women under the age of 20 were the most affected by eclampsia. Preeclampsia was frequently found in pregnant women with twin pregnancies and those with macrosomic fetuses with 10.1% and 8.9% frequency, respectively. Multiparous women with preeclampsia often had a history of PE (43 cases or 4%), arterial hypertension (55 cases or 5.1%) and / or diabetes (5 cases or 0.5%). Eclampsia was the principal maternal complication (29.7%). The maternal case fatality rate was 0.5%. Fetal complications were dominated by induced prematurity (19.5%) and intra-uterine fetal death (9.4%). Conclusion: This study reveals that pre-eclampsia is frequent in Douala Laquintinie hospital with high maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality rate and therefore remains a major public health problem

Aspects cliniques et paracliniques des amputations du pied diabétique au Mali

Introduction. La plaie du pied diabétique est une affection fréquente (10% des motifs d'hospitalisation) et grave, le risque d'amputation étant de 10 à 30 fois plus élevé chez les diabétiques par rapport à la population générale. Elle n'a que peu été étudiée au Mali. Objectif. Décrire les aspects cliniques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques des amputations du pied diabétique au Mali. Méthodologie. II s'agit d'une étude descriptive et transversale qui s'est déroulée à l'Hôpital du Mali du 1er Juillet 2016 au 30 Juin 2017. Elle a porté sur les patients diabétiques présentant une plaie du pied, hospitalisés dans le service de médecine et endocrinologie de l'Hôpital du Mali Les données recueillies et analysées étaient les données sociodémographiques, les données relatives au diabète, les données relatives au pied, les bilans biologiques récents, les radiographies standards, l'échographie doppler artériel des membres. Pour classer le pied atteint, nous avons utilisé la classification de l'Université de Texas. Résultats. Vingt-cinq (25) patients diabétiques ont été recrutés. Le sex ratio était de 0,66. Tous les patients avaient une artériopathie, 96% avaient une neuropathie, et 80% avaient un pied mixte. Un mauvais équilibre glycémique était noté chez 64% des patients ; une ostéite radiologique dans 52% des cas. En outre, 23 patients (92%) avaient un risque d'amputation à 100% selon la classification de l'Université du Texas. 12 patients (46%) avaient été amputés au niveau de la jambe. Nous avons enregistré un décès (4%). Conclusion. L'amputation du pied diabétique affecte surtout la diabétique de sexe féminin avec un mauvais équilibre glycémique. Dans la moitié des cas, elle a lieu au niveau de la jambe

Morphological patterns of anaemia among pregnant women from Sudan

Background: Morphological patterns of anaemia in pregnancy are considered essential for classification, diagnosis and management of patients, especially in regions with high maternal mortality like Sudan.Objectives: This study evaluated morphological patterns of anaemia among pregnant women in Sudan and morphological differences across characteristics of participants.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 to February 2017. A total of 200 women were selected according to specific criteria. Laboratory tests were performed for complete blood count, blood smears were performed for morphology and vitamin B12, folate and iron levels were measured. Participants were classified as: normochromic normocytic, microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic or dimorphic. Further classification based on haemoglobin levels was also performed.Results: A total of 116 participants (58%) had a dimorphic pattern, followed by 50 participants (25%) with a microcytic hypochromic pattern, 20 participants (10%) with a macrocytic pattern and 14 participants (7%) with a normochromic normocytic pattern. Participants with the dimorphic pattern also had low levels of iron and folate. The majority of dimorphic participants presented with mild anaemia, whereas the majority of participants with the microcytic hypochromic pattern presented with moderate or severe anaemia. A high percentage of participants in late pregnancy had the dimorphic pattern, and there were significant differences in the degree of anaemia by parity, gestational age and regular intake of haematinic supplements.Conclusion: The most frequent morphological pattern of anaemia in this study was dimorphic, followed by microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic and normochromic patterns. Morphological patterns appeared to predict types of vitamin and mineral deficiency and the degree of anaemia

Knowledge and home treatment of measles infection by caregivers of children under five in a low-income urban community, Nigeria

Background: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children in developing countries. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and home treatment of measles by caregivers of children under 5 years. Setting: Abebi community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 509 caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5years in a semi-urban community in Ibadan was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of aetiology, main symptoms and signs, and home treatment of measles. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to explore associations at 5% level of significance. Results: Most of the caregivers were females (96.3%), married (86.1%) and were the biological parents of the children (90.9%). More than half had good knowledge of the cause (59.7%) and main symptoms and signs (52.8%) of measles. However, the composite knowledge was good in 57.6% of caregivers. Over half (54.4%) of the caregivers reported that their children ever had measles. Majority (91.3%) of caregivers whose children had measles gave home treatment, while 24 (8.7%) sought treatment from health facilities alone. There was a significant association between caregivers' educational status, age, tribe and marital status and their knowledge of measles; however, tribe was the only significant predictor of knowledge after regression analysis. Caregivers from other tribes were 3.3 times more likely to have good knowledge of measles than Yoruba caregivers. Caregivers who were 35 years and older compared to those younger than 35 years (OR: 0.625; 95% CI: 0.425­0.921) and those who were not currently married compared to those married (OR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.273­0.758) had lower odds of having good knowledge of measles, respectively. Conclusion: Home treatment by caregivers of children with measles is high. Health education on the cause, prevention and treatment of measles should be provided for caregivers

Enterocutaneous fistula coexisting with enterovesical fistula: a rare complication of ovarian cystectomy

Enterocutaneous fistula is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the skin, while enterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the bladder. Both are not usual complications of ovarian cystectomy. We present a patient with enterovesical fistula coexisting with enterocutaneous fistula following ovarian cystectomy. She is a 24-year-old lady with background immunosupression who presented to the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki South-East Nigeria with a history fecaluria, pneumaturia and passage of feculent fluid through the skin following ovarian cystectomy. Fistulogram was in keeping with rectovesical fistula. She was repaired in a single stage and made an uneventful recovery. Enterovesical fistula and enterocutaneus fistula are uncommon but possible complications of ovarian cystectomy

Pattern and outcome of Diabetic Ketoacidosis among children with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus at Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of Diabetes mellitus. There are few reports on the pattern and outcome of DKA in childhood diabetes in Nigeria but none on the diabetic population from Osun State, Nigeria. Objective: To determine the pattern and factors influencing the outcome of children managed for DKA at the Paediatric Endocrinology Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, over a ten-year period. Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical records of all the children managed for Type-1 Diabetes mellitus (TIDM) over ten years (2007-2016) was done. Relevant information was obtained from the clinical records and the data were analyzed. Results: A total of 15 children with DKA comprising 8 (53.3%) males and 7 (46.7%) females were studied. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Twenty-eight episodes of DKA were recorded during the period, thus putting the average frequency per patient at 1.9. DKA was the first manifestation of DM in the majority (86.7%) of the subjects. The mean age at diagnosis of DM was 11.9+3.6 years with about half (53.3%) occurring during pre-adolescence. The socioeconomic status of the affected families had an inverse relationship with the frequency of DKA. Conclusion: DKA is the most common initial presentation of Type-1 DM among Nigerian children, with a high rate of recurrence and an inverse relationship with socioeconomic status

Palliative external beam radiotherapy for advanced breast cancer patients with brain metastasis in the university college hospital Ibadan

Background: Brain metastasis is a dreaded complication that significantly reduces the quality of life in breast cancer patients. The treatment options are limited by the inability of many chemotherapeutic agents to cross the blood­brain barrier. Surgery also has a limited role, except in few selected patients with oligometastasis. Therefore, whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains the available option that gives a gratifying result. However, the benefit of this treatment modality in our resource-poor environment needs to be investigated. Materials and Methods: The data of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis who were treated with WBRT using cobalt-60 equipment between 2005 and 2009 were retrospectively collected from the departmental medical record unit. The information extracted included biodata, presenting symptoms, imaging modality for confirmation of brain metastasis, treatment records, performance status pre-WBRT and 4 weeks post-WBRT, and other supportive treatments. Results: A total of 52 female patients were reviewed between 2005 and 2009. The mean age of patients was 44.7 years. The common clinical features on presentation were headache, nausea, and visual impairment in 30.8% of patients with the WHO performance status score ranging between 2 and 4. Patients with more than three brain deposits accounted for 71.2% of all the brain metastases. The mean radiation dose used for WBRT was 30 Gy in 10 fractions, and total responses recorded were 86.5% with 53.8% complete improvement in patients' performance status 4 weeks after WBRT treatment. Conclusion: WBRT is an effective treatment modality for patients with brain metastasis in our resource-poor environment. However, improvement of patients' performance status declined with advancing age

Mortalité à 3 mois des infarctus cérébraux au Burkina Faso : une étude de cohorte prospective

La mortalité à 3 mois des infarctus cérébraux demeure encore élevée en Afrique Sub Saharienne. L'objectif de notre étude était d'évaluer la mortalité intra hospitalière, à un mois et à 3 mois des patients hospitalisés pour infarctus cérébral au Burkina Faso. Il s'agissait d'une étude de cohorte prospective de patients consécutivement hospitalisés pour infarctus cérébral, de mars 2015 à février 2016, puis suivis en consultation externe durant au moins 3 mois après l'AVC au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tingandogo, à Ouagadougou, au Burkina Faso. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, cliniques et paracliniques des patients à l'admission, les complications et la mortalité cumulée respectivement à la sortie d'hospitalisation, à un mois et à 3 mois, ont été analysées. En tout, 151 patients ont été enregistrés, avec une prédominance masculine (59,6 %) et une moyenne d'âge de 63,4 ans. Lors de l'admission, le National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) moyen était de 14. L'oedème cérébral (39,7 %) et l'effet de masse (35,1 %) était les complications neuroradiologiques précoces les plus fréquentes. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était de 13,4 jours. Les taux de mortalité, intra hospitalière, à un mois et 3 mois étaient respectivement de 17,9 %, 19 % et 25,9 %. La mortalité des infarctus cérébraux reste élevée en Afrique Sub Saharienne. L'utilisation de la fibrinolyse, la mise en place des unités neurovasculaires et un accès des patients à la rééducation fonctionnelle, contribueront à l'amélioration de la survie des patients après infarctus cérébraux

Typhoid ileal perforation in children: does clinical diagnosis alone justify laparotomy?

Introduction: Typhoid ileal perforation is one of the most common surgical complications of typhoid fever, with high morbidity and mortality in resource poor tropical areas in Africa and other developing countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical diagnosis of typhoid ileal perforation as justification for laparotomy. Method: A retrospective study from January 2008 to December 2011 in the Paediatric Surgery Division of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Results: The age group most commonly affected was aged 6-9 years (43.5%); there were 20 (43.5%) males and 26 (56.5%) females. The commonest clinical features were fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, tenderness and distension (52.3%). Thirty one (67.4%) of the patients did not have any diagnostic radiological investigations. Fifteen (32.6%) patients had superficial wound infection, ten (21.7%) died, eleven (23.9%) had no complications. Conclusion: We advocate that under circumstances where urgent diagnostic radiological and laboratory investigations are not available promptly, clinical diagnosis of typhoid ileal perforation, especially signs of peritonitis should justify an emergency laparotomy

Assessment of the prevalence of abnormal hysteroscopic findings in infertile women undergoing ART

Background: The endometrium plays an important role in implantation of good quality embryos in ART. Many studies have proved the negative impact of intra uterine pathologies on reproductive outcome whether spontaneous pregnancy or ART, because uterine anomalies may be associated with many obstetric complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth, premature rupture of membrane, malpresentation, postpartum bleeding and retained placenta. Aim of the work: This study aims to assess the prevalence of abnormal hysteroscopic findings among infertile women undergoing ART at Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital over the period from January 2007 to January 2017. Patients and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out on infertile couples planned for ART who were sent to ECDU for hysteroscopy in Early Cancer Detection Unit (ECDU), Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. Case reports From January 2007 to January 2017 were reviewed. Results: The most prevalent congenital abnormality was endometrial polyp (18.4%) followed by uterine septum (6.9%). Conclusion: This study concluded that the most common uterine abnormality was endometrial polyp (18.4%), followed by uterine septum in 6.9% of patients. Also, thick endometrium was very common with a prevalence of 12.9%. Therefore, based on this high prevalence of abnormalities, this study is in agreement with the opinion that all women should be offered hysteroscopy, even if they have normal vaginal ultrasound and hysterosalpingography, because this is supposed to increase the detection rate of minor abnormalities, which theoretically will improve the reproductive outcome. Still, further interventional randomized controlled trials (RCT) are needed to verify the positive impact of routine use of hysteroscopy prior to ART

Ocular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis and complications of hydroxychloroquine treatment

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune disease. Ocular manifestations of RAvary and are mainly keratoconjunctivitis sicca, episcleritis, scleritis and keratitis. Antimalarial drugs [hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ)] have been used for the treatment of RA. Objective: The aim of this study was to study the ocular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis and the complications of the use of hydroxychloroquine in treatment. Patients and methods: A prospective study that was conducted at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. The study included a total of 80 eyes of 40 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group (1) 20 RA patients not using HCQ treatment and group (2) 20 RA patients using HCQ treatment. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination including SD-OCT. Results: the most ocular manifestations found in patients were keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) 93.8%, scleritis and episcleritis 2.5%, acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and sclerosing keratitis 1.3%. Regarding SD-OCT finding comparing between the two groups, we found signs of early HCQ retinopathy in patients of group 2 in the form of parafoveal and perifoveal thining compared to group 1. Conclusion: RA is associated with many extra-articular manifestations, HCQ and CQ used in treatment of RA have significant efficacy and safety, but with long duration of using can cause retinopathy, and follow up of patients is necessary to detect early retinopathy