Thumb talc granuloma mimicking squamous cell carcinoma: A case report.

Application of topical powdery substances to the wound is an age old practice. Talc containing powdery substances are however commonplace and predominant in our environment. This insoluble mineral has been linked to chronic granulomatous reaction particularly in the lungs. We present a case report of a fifty-year-old man with prolonged application of talc containing powdery substances to the left thumb wound and excitation of exuberant granuloma mimicking squamous cell carcinoma. He had complete excision of the mass and satisfactory first dorsal metacarpal artery flap coverage of the soft tissue defect.

Paratesticular fibrous pseudotumour in a 26-year-old Nigerian man: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Benign fibroblastic proliferation located within the scrotum are uncommon. They are also identified as fibrous pseudotumour and usually arise from the paratesticular region. Their pathogenesis is unknown. These tumours are difficult to diagnose pre-operatively and resemble intra-scrotal malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: We managed a 26-year-old Nigerian man with a five-year history of left sided hemiscrotal swelling. The mass was excised, and histology showed benign fibroblastic proliferation. DISCUSSION: Most paratesticular tumours are benign. Imaging studies that show the mass as separate from the testis, normal levels of tumour markers and clinical features not suggestive of malignancy make the case for organ-sparing mass excision, in the treatment of paratesticular fibrous pseudotumour, very strong. CONCLUSION: Intra-scrotal benign fibrous proliferation is a challenge to diagnose pre-operatively but excision of this benign mass without an orchidectomy is practicable when pre-operative assessment suggests a benign disease.

WHO classification of meningiomas-A single institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION: Meningiomas are among the most common intracranial neoplasms worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the neoplasm into three grades with each grade having several histological variants. Several studies done in blacks have shown differences with Caucasian populations regarding the occurrence of histological variants. Our study sought to examine the histological variants of meningioma seen in a predominantly black population using the WHO grading system. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all meningiomas seen in our hospital facility for over twenty years. An analysis of data from all the patients diagnosed with meningioma, who also had surgical biopsies taken, was done. The meningiomas were graded using the WHO grading system and also classified into different histological variants within each grade as described by the WHO study group. RESULTS: The study included a total number of 163 biopsies. There were more females diagnosed with meningiomas with a female to male ratio of 1.4. Most of the tumors were grade one, however, there were more males with malignant meningiomas. Transitional meningiomas were the most commonly seen variants among the grade one tumors while atypical and anaplastic were most common in grades two and three, respectively. CONCLUSION: A larger population-based study is needed to provide epidemiological data on the occurrence of meningiomas in blacks.

UPPER LUMBAR DISC PROLAPSE.

Upper lumbar disc prolapse (ULDP) is a rare and a unique clinical entity which has a potentially devastating clinical outcome. It may manifest with low back or anterior thigh pain, polyradiculopathies (from spinal cord or cauda equina compression) and/or degenerative kyphoscoliosis. Its diagnosis is often difficult and may be missed because of the lack of specific root signs. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic modality of choice. Anterior, posterior and endoscopic approaches have been explored in the treatment of this pathology. However, the treatment outcome for ULDP has been found to be poorer compared to that of similar herniations at lower spinal levels. We report this case to draw attention to the need for a high index of suspicion to make the correct diagnosis.

Histological studies on the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats treated with ArteetherTM

Introduction: Arteether TM, a derivative of artemisinin, is among the recent drugs that have given renewed hope for combating malarial menace. The present study investigated the effects of arteetherTM on the histology of the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult albino Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g, were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five animals each and used for this study. Group A rats were given intramuscular (i.m.) arteetherTM (3 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 3 days. Group B rats were given i.m. arteetherTM (6 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 3 days. Group C rats were also given i. m. of arteetherTM (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days, and the same dose was repeated at two-weekly intervals for 4 further weeks; while Group D rats which received normal saline (0.9 % w/v, 3 ml/kg b.w.), served as controls. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The retina and cerebellum were excised and processed routinely for histopathology changes, using haematoxylin and eosin stain (H & E), as well as Nissl stain. Results: Results obtained showed normal cellular components of the retina and cerebellum in all groups, and no cyto-pathological changes were observed. Conclusion: Thus, this study showed that under light microscopic examination, therapeutic doses of arteetherTM caused no significant cyto-pathologic changes in the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats.(AU)

Histological and biochemical effects of arteether™ on the liver of Wistar rats.

Arteether™ is among the recent drugs that are used to combat chloroquine-resistant malarial parasites. This study examined the effects of arteether™ on enzyme biomarkers of the liver, serum protein concentrations, and liver morphology. Twenty (20) adult albino Wistar rats weighing 200 - 250 g were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five animals each, and used in this study. Group A rats were given intramuscular (i. m.) arteether™ (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. Group B rats received i. m. arteether™ (6 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. Group C rats were given i. m. arteether™ (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. The same dose was repeated at two-weekly intervals for 4 further weeks, while group D rats which received normal saline (0.9 % w/ v, 3 ml/kg b.w.), served as controls. At the end of the experiment, the body weights of the animals were determined and recorded. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and albumin were assayed, and histological studies were performed. Results obtained show no significant difference (P<0.05) in liver enzymes (ALT, ASP, ALP). TP and albumin were significantly reduced in group C rats. Histological studies revealed no cyto-architectural changes. It is concluded that at therapeutic doses, arteether™ is well tolerated in Wistar rats.