ABSTRACT
Background/objective: The relative rarity of gallbladder disease has been documented in various parts of Africa. Recently the incidence has been reported as rising in some African countries. We undertook this study to evaluate the indications for cholecystectomy in our center and compare with others. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 18 open cholecystectomies in 10 years. Results: The ages ranged from 13 and 65 years (mean 39.2years). There were 15 females and 3 males (F: M=ratio 5:1). Calculous cholecystitis 9(50) in patients; acalculous cholecystitis 8(44.4) and a patient with carcinoma of the gallbladder were offered cholecystectomy. The commonest stone was mixed multiple stones. Conclusion: The numbers of cholecystectomies attest to the rarity of gallbladder disease in this environment. This may be due to the high fiber and low cholesterol diet predominant in this costal population in southern Nigeria
Subject(s)
Cholecystectomy , Cholecystitis , GallbladderABSTRACT
Background/objective: The relative rarity of gallbladder disease has been documented in various parts of Africa. Recently the incidence has been reported as rising in some African countries. We undertook this study to evaluate the indications for cholecystectomy in our center and compare with others. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 18 open cholecystectomies in 10years. Results: The ages ranged from 13 and 65 years (mean 39.2years). There were 15 females and 3 males (F: M=ratio 5:1). Calculous cholecystitis 9(50) in patients; acalculous cholecystitis 8(44.4) and a patient with carcinoma of the gallbladder were offered cholecystectomy. The commonest stone was mixed multiple stones. -Conclusion: The numbers of cholecystectomies attest to the rarity of gallbladder disease in this environment. This may be due to the high fiber and low cholesterol diet predominant in this costal population in southern Nigeria
Subject(s)
Cholecystectomy , Cholecystitis , GallstonesABSTRACT
Background/objective: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is now the most frequently reported malignant skin tumour in some areas of Africa and was endemic in Africa before the advent of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The prevalence has increased with the emergence of HIV infection. The objective of this report is to describe the frequency; current clinical pattern; and anatomic distribution of KS in Calabar; south-eastern Nigeria and compare this with total malignant skin tumour. Method: All the patients with histologic diagnosis of KS presenting to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital from January 2005 and December 2006 were analyzed as part of the wider study of malignant skin tumorus. Diagnosis of HIV was based upon enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In our study; there were 11 patients (7 males and 4 females); with a male: female ratio of 1.75: 1. This was the commonest malignant skin tumor (38) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (34.5) and the age ranged from 21 - 60 years (mean 42.9years). Nine patients (81.8) were HIV positive including the 4 females (age ranged from 21 -45 years) and 2(18.2) HIV negative; aged 59 and 60years. The lower limb was the commonest site (50). Atypical lesions involved the eyelids/ nose and penis. Conclusion: KS is now the commonest malignant skin tumour in our region with the HIV related KS as the commonest clinical type. Successful prevention and treatment of HIV infection would reduce the prevalence of this tumour
Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Sarcoma , Sarcoma/therapyABSTRACT
Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer among the lightly pigmented individuals in Europe; North America and Australia. It occurs infrequently in darkly pigmented individuals because they have more melanin. Melanin and albinism are a known risk factors for skin cancers in Africans. Those already treated for skin cancer run a risk of developing another skin cancer. Method: Two case reports of albinos who developed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomata (SCC) later are presented. The two female albinos aged 61 and 21 years had BCC and SCC involving the left arm and the dorsum of the left hand in case1 and involving the face and the medial side of the right elbow in case 2. Both patients had numerous actinic keratoses that indicated chronic exposure to sunlight. Results: The outcome was good for the BCC's as the wounds healed post excision. There was no evidence of recurrence when the patients represented with SCC at 12 and 18 months respectively. Conclusion: Albinos run a risk of developing both BCC and SCC with chronic exposure to sunlight. Health education strategies on the need for early institution of preventive measures and follow up are emphasised as they run a risk of developing another cancer