Audiometric Findings in Waardenburg's Syndrome amongst the Institutionalised Deaf Blind in Kaduna-Nigeria

Introduction:Waardenburg's syndrome is a rare inherited disorder of congenital hearing loss and Pigmentary disturbances of the eyes; hair; skin and neural crest derivatives. Methodology: 620 students in a deaf/blind school were examined and four had Waardenburg's syndrome with a frequency of 0.65. 2 males and 2 females with Waardenburg's syndrome and age ranges between 10-19years (mean 15.75years) All 4 subjects had complete blue irides; white forelock and sensorineural hearing loss; and thus met the diagnostic criteria. They were then subjected to Audiometric assessment. Results: Otoscopy was essentially normal but Audiometry revealed sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL] in all the subjects ranging from severe to profound with one subject being stone deaf. Conclusion: Waardenburg's syndrome is a rare disorder in our environment although it may be under reported.Two of the subjects benefited from amplification and were given hearing Aids. Provision of early amplification cannot be over emphasized

Cancer management in Sudan: current status and future perspectives

Introduction:Sudan is one of the developing countries that face a great challenge with cancer management.About 5700 cases had been seen during year 2007 in Radiation and Isotope Center- Khartoum (RICK)and Institute of Nuclear medicine; Molecular biology; and Oncology (INMO) Wadmedani which are the only cancer centers in Sudan. Purpose:Aim of this work is to highlight the difficulties of cancer management in Sudan and to propose possible solutions.Methods:This paper evaluates the current situation of cancer management in Sudan through reviewing of data available in cancer centers and reports from the Sudan national bureau of statistic.Suggestions are also made for cancer control plan in Sudan having the currentsituation in mind and guided by the published international data on cancer control.Results:The preliminary analysis of the available data reveals that Sudan has very limited resources available to deal with cancer and the service provided is not evenly distributed.Conclusion:Establishment of new centers is extremely needed with special attention to good distribution of services.To achieve such a goal training of more staff and upgrading of the existing centers is mandatory to manage all types of cancer.Cancer registry is the right way to plan for cancer control in sudan