A Morphometric Study of the Sella Turcica: Gender Effect.

Background and objective: Precise anatomical knowledge of the sella turcica is important for neurologists and surgeons operating in the region of cavernous sinus or the surrounding structures. The current study was undertaken to record normal morphometric parameters for future reference and to determine if there is any significance difference in the sella turcica morphometry regarding the gender. Methodology: A Morphometric analysis of the Sella Turcica and structures in vicinity were done in thirty six adults’ formalin fixed cadaver’s skulls (22 male and 14 female). Results: The pituitary stalk positions weremiddle inmajority ofmale cases (72.7%), the remaining 27.3% were posterior. Among female; 57.1%weremiddle and the remaining 42.9%were posterior, no anterior position was detected among both genders with no different between male and female (p = 0.494) Normal Optic chiasma position was detected in all female cases and in 63.6% of male cases with no significant differences regarding gender (p= 0.070). No significant different in diaphragma sella shape and opening regarding gender (p.value = 0.170 and 0.914 respectively) No significant difference betweenmales and females concerning linear dimensions of sella turcica (length, depth and Anteroposterior diameters). Concerning diaphragma sella opening; no significant different regarding gender in transverse diameter (p.value= 0.316) while significant different was detected in anteroposterior diameter (p.value= 0.046) For interclinoid (anterior, posterior) diameters, which represented statistically significant different regarding gender in both right and left sides (p.value = 0.004 and 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Present studywill providing the normalmorphometric data for future reference and further studies.

The Association between Hepatitis B Virus and Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Sudanese Patients in Gezira State Sudan.

The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is steadily increasing worldwide. According to the Globocan 2008, NHL is ranked as the 12th most common cancer worldwide and the 4th most common cancer in Sudan. Sudan is endemic with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the association between NHL and HBV infection in Sudanese patients, Gezira State. Methods: This was cross sectional case-control study was conducted at the, National Cancer Institute (NCI) University of Gezira, during the period from 2007 to 2008. A total of 81 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients and 95 hospitals based controlled of matched age and sex, were included in the study. All patients and control had their serum screened for the presence of HBsAg by ELISA and HBV DNA was tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The Statistical Program for Social Science (SPSS16.0) was used for all statistical analyses, and test of significance. Results: The mean age of NHL patients was 37.9±23.6 years with a range (1-85 years). Male to female ratio was 1.9 to 1. There were different types of NHL in this study with the majority being B-cell lymphoma 70.4% (57/81), 49.38% (40/81 ) were positive by PCR, while controls 20/95 (21.05%) with significant difference between cases and controls (P<0.05). There was a significant association between B-cell subtype and HBV by both serological and molecular methods (OR= 6.5 95% CI: 1.3 - 32.5) and (OR= 3.6 95% CI: 0.8 – 07.4). Conclusion: This study concludes that there is a significant association between HBV and the development of NHL in Sudanese patients in Gezira State the finding provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that HBV infection may have an association with the development of NHL patients.

Successful pregnancy after breast cancer treatment in a Sudanese patient

Breast cancer survivors, usually, suffer many side-effects from cancer treatments such as premature menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and infertility We report a case of a pregnancy in a Sudanese patient after amenorrhea as a result of breast cancer chemotherapy treatment. A 34-year-old female with a history of right breast lumpectomy presented to the National Cancer Institute, Gezira University, Sudan with reoccurred malignant breast tumor. The patient underwent treatment that included the mastectomy, axillary clearance, followed by anthracycline-based chemotherapy for 4 months and then tamoxifen. However, whereas, on treatment, the patient developed amenorrhea as a side-effect of chemotherapy treatment. Despite this, the patient became pregnant and delivered full-term twin babies with no congenital abnormalities. Temporary chemotherapy treatment-related menopause may occur in younger women and factors such as chemotherapy drug type, dosage, and the patient's age may play a role

Appendicitis in children: audit of outcome in Kosti- teaching hospital

Appendicitis is the most common cause of the acute surgical abdomen in children. It accounts for approximately one-third of childhood hospital admissions for abdominal pain. To audit the outcome of management of children presenting with abdominal pain suspicious of acute appendicitis. This is a retrospective study of 67 children admitted and treated for acute appendicitis in Kosti Teaching Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007. Symptoms, signs, details of management and results of follow up were studied. Boys comprised 45 [67.16%]. Age ranged from 4-15 years [mean 11.13 +/- 2.59] years. 44 [65.67%] of children had acute, 16 [23.88%] perforated appendicitis, 3 [4.48%] appendiceal mass, appendix single patient [1.49%] had appendiceal abscess and 3 [4.48%] normal. Five patients [7.46%] developed postoperative complications but no mortality was encountered. In spite of advances in means of diagnosis appendicitis remains a clinical diagnosis with excellent outcome if diagnosed and treated promptly

effect of area and site of tympanic membrane perforations on hearing threshold among sudanese patients

Chronic otitis media is one of the commonest otological problems among Sudanese children and adults. The disease presents with perforations of the eardrum, discharging ears and varying degrees of hearing loss. The objective of this work is to study the effect of the area and the site of the tympanic membrane perforation on hearing threshold among Sudanese patients. This is a prospective hospital-based study conducted at Ibn Sina and Khartoum Teaching Hospitals-Otolaryngology Departments [E.N.T], in the period from 1 April - to the 30 of July 2002. Information from both the control and study subjects was taken, using protested questionnaire. Twenty-five normal subjects [50 ears] were taken as a control group selected randomly from the healthy population; their hearing thresholds were tested in order to find a reference level. Seventy-one consequtive patients with uni - or bilateral chronic suppurative otitis media [100 perforated ears] were taken as a study group. The hearing threshold of the control Sudanese subjects was 17dB. This was obtained by computing the mean for the human speech frequencies [500, 1000, 2000Hz]. The lower frequencies were affected regardless of side, site and area of the perforation. Conductive hearing loss was the commonest type [79%]. The commonest site of the perforations was the central site [90%] followed by posteroinferior 3%. The commonest area of tympanic membrane perforations was the subtotal area [54%], followed by large central perforations [25%]. The greatest hearing loss was found to be in the posteroinferior and anterio-superior perforation of the drum compartment. From this study, we can conclude that regardless of the area, the site of tympanic membrane perforation is the most important factor affecting hearing threshold. The posterior central perforation having the greater effect for this reason, any patients with the posteroinferior and anterio-superior perforations should have repair of tympanic membrane [myringoplaiy]

Ultrasound screening for solid hepatic masses in Sudan

The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence of the solid hepatic masses and their pattern in Sudan. 1824 patients were screened, out of these; 14 patients [2.7%] found to have solid hepatic masses which included hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], liver metastases, calcified hydatid cyst and haemangioma. The study showed that hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent neoplasm among solid hepatic masses. It showed that solid hepatic masses are more frequent among elder patients [>50 years], and there was no correlation between solid hepatic masses with neither gender nor occupation