Correlation between prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen in Nigerian men with symptomatic histologically-diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is elevated in the serum of most men with prostatic diseases. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the commonest of these diseases. The degree of enlargement of the prostate may determine the amount of PSA elaborated. Several reports in some parts of the world have shown a significant correlation between prostate volume (PV) and PSA. However, only a few reports have been documented in Nigeria, especially in the South-South region. Aim: This research aimed to ascertain if there is any correlation between prostate volume (PV), total PSA (tPSA), and free PSA (fPSA) in men with histologically diagnosed BPH. This knowledge may help in the estimation of PV from a given PSA. Patients and Methods: This prospective hospital-based study was carried out in a southern Nigerian tertiary hospital between November 2017 and October 2018. Eighty (80) eligible and consenting patients participated in the study and were enrolled at first contact in the urology clinic. Each patient's blood was taken for PSA estimation. The prostate volume was estimated by transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS). Those who had tPSA values greater than 4 ng/mL whose biopsy report showed prostate malignancy were excluded from the study. A proforma was used to collect patients' sociodemographic and clinical information. Data were entered and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, United States). For all statistical tests, P < 0.05 was regarded as significant. Results: The mean age of the patients for this study was 68.03 years. The mean prostate volume was 87.9 mL with a range of 34 to 234 mL. The mean tPSA was 5.5 ng/mL with ranges of 1.1 to 21.1 ng/mL. There was a significant correlation between PV and tPSA with a P value of 0.0001. This correlation was also shown between PV and fPSA with a P value of 0.0001. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant correlation between PV and PSA (both free and total) in men with symptomatic histologically diagnosed BPH. This finding showed that larger benign prostate glands elaborated greater amounts of PSA. It may, therefore, be appropriate to say that it is not in all cases of elevated serum tPSA that the possibilities of malignancy or inflammation should be entertained.

SCROTAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA AND ASSOCIATED BLINDNESS: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of the scrotum is a rare disease which has been linked with occupational exposure to certain industrial carcinogens. Scanty reports of scrotal carcinoma exist in literature but in very few places worldwide. To our knowledge, there has been one documented report of scrotal carcinoma in our country and this is the first report of scrotal carcinoma in over 45years existence of our tertiary Health institution. We present the clinical evaluation, investigations and surgical intervention of a blind elderly welder with squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. CASE PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT: A 65 year-old blind welder presented to us with a painless fungating scrotal mass of two years' duration. He had prior incision and drainage of the swelling in a primary health centre but this failed to heal, with copious purulent discharge. The mass measured 20cm x 15cm x 8cm and was inseparable from the right testis and cord structures, with infiltration of the root of the penis. The inguinal lymph nodes were not enlarged. CT scan confirmed localized scrotal tumour and biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma.He subsequently had wide local excision of the scrotal tumour (with at least 2cm free margins), right total orchidectomy and advancement flap closure of scrotal defect. Histopathological reports corroborated the earlier findings and confirmed tumour free margins. He has remained well 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum, though rare, is the commonest malignancy affecting the scrotum worldwide. Surgery still remains the mainstay of treatment and early intervention improves the chances of a favourable outcome.

ITN utilization among pregnant women attending ANC in Etsako West Lga, Edo State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors affecting utilization of ITN by pregnant women in Etsako West LGA, Edo State. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Using a systematic sampling method, a total of 385 respondents were selected from all ANC facilities in the LGA following a verbally obtained consent. Tool for data collection was a semi-structured, researcher administered questionnaire. RESULT: The respondents' knowledge of cause of malaria was good, as 269 (69%) had good knowledge but only 9 (2.3%) knew its effects on the foetus. Meanwhile, ownership of ITN and its use were very low, 36 (9.3%) and 31 (8.0) respectively. The main factor affecting the use of the commodity in the LGA was unavailability of ITNs. Other factors included belief of the women on the effectiveness of the commodity, level of education, marital status and family sizes ofrespondents. CONCLUSION: Use of Insecticide treated bed net has been hampered by unavailability of the commodity. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be made to make the commodity available to reduce morbidity and mortality among this vulnerable group.