Pattern of presentation and management of urolithiasis at federal medical centre, Nguru, Nigeria

Background: Urolithiasis has been with mankind since ancient time. Although it is more common in the developed world, the pattern of presentation in the developing countries is tending towards that of developed countries. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of presentations and treatments offered to patients with urolithiasis over the last 2 years at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru.Materials and Methods: The study is a 2-year retrospective review of patients managed for urolithiasis at FMC Nguru. The patients' bio-data, pattern of presentation and radiological features of the stones, as well as the treatment given to the patients, were reviewed.Results: The records of 55 patients were reviewed; the mean age was 24.1 years with a range of 1.5 to 70years. The male to female ratio was 10:1. The most common presenting symptom was painful micturition in 21 patients (38.18%). The total number of stones extracted was 58, one patient had multiple right renal pelvic calculi, another had bilateral renal pelvic stone and the third patient had bladder and distal ureteric stone. Two patients (3.64%) expelled their calculi while awaiting surgery, the remaining 53 patients (96.36%) had opened surgical treatment. Most of the stones are in the bladder in 29 patients (52%). Twenty-one patients (38.18%) had upper urinary tract stones out of which 13 were in the renal pelvis.Conclusion: Urolithiasis is also common in the developing communities. Despite the changing pattern from lower to the upper tract in developed countries, we found lower tract stone dominating as seen in many underdeveloped. This may be attributable to yet to establish environmental or genetic factors

Breast tuberculosis: a case report.

Primary tuberculosis of the breast unlike carcinoma is rare, but secondary lesions from cervical and axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis are not uncommon. In this case, a 60-year-old woman presented with ulcerated axillary lymph node swelling and breast lump. Biopsy of the breast lump and lymph node confirmed tuberculous granuloma. She was commenced on anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and wound dressing. Her wounds and sinuses healed satisfactorily before being discharged to continue her treatment at home. She was however lost to followup.

Digital rectal examination for prostate cancer: attitude and experience of final year medical students.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer which tends to take an aggressive course in black populations can be detected by digital rectal examination (DRE). There are concerns however that medical students are not acquiring the necessary DRE skills. We therefore studied their experience and attitude towards DRE for prostate cancer to assist us make any necessary adjustments in training. METHODS: This was a self-administered questionnaire based study of final year medical students two months to graduation carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, location for clinical studies of the Medical Faculty ofthe University of Jos. RESULTS: There were 100 students in the study, with a male: female ratio of 3.6:1. The ages ranged from 24 to 35 with a mean of 28 years. Fifty-one percent and 94% agreed they had been taught DRE in class and on the ward/clinic respectively. Almost half (45%) had never performed a DRE and 43% performed it only 1-2 times. Sixty-two percent of the students had never confidently palpated a prostate; while 30% had palpated it 1 2 times. Eighty-six percent and 7% respectively have never felt a clinically malignant prostate or felt it 1 2 times. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of DREs performed by sex or age (p> 0.05). On supervision 43% were never supervised to do DRE while 23% were supervised all the time. Ninety-five percent believed DRE is an essential requirement for a medical practitioner and 96% believed they should have the skills before graduating. Only 36%, however, believed their teachers have been supportive, teaching them DRE (p value = .033). Ninety percent agreed that DRE is useful for screening for prostate cancer. The major reason for not performing DRE more than half the time was the student not feeling competent (54%). CONCLUSION: Students have received adequate teaching on DRE, have the right attitude and perspective, have adequate knowledge on DRE findings suggestive of prostate cancer but have not translated this knowledge into practice. This is mainly due to the students not feeling competent. Teachers need to intensify practical supervision to enable medical students acquire the necessary experience during clinical training.