Excision of a giant anterior chest wall neurofibroma and chest wall reconstruction with methlymethacrylate and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Plexiformneurofibromas (PNFs) are benign nerve tumours resulting from aberrant growth of cells of nerve sheath. PNFs are generally painless, slow growing neoplasms. Although most neoplasms are asymptomatic, they can be particularly debilitating due to their potential to grow to very large sizes. They have potential for transformation into highly malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours which occur in approximately 5% of patients. They can affect most parts of the body. When they occur in the chest wall, they are amenable to excision. Following excision, a surgeon is faced with a large skeletal and soft tissue defects which pose functional and cosmetic challenges. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24-year-old farmer that presented with a giant anterior chest wall plexiformneurofibroma that was noticed since childhood. He had excision of the mass and skeletal reconstruction with methylmethacrylate sandwiched in prolene mesh and softtissue coverage with vertical rectus abdominismusculocutaneous flap. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of methylmethacrylate and myocutaneous flaps give both good functional and cosmetic outcome following excision of large chest wall tumours.

Effect of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Khaya senegalensis on Some Biochemical, Haematological, and Histopathological Parameters of Rats.

The subchronic effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis on some biochemical, haematological, and histopathological parameters of rats was investigated. The rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group. Groups I to VI were administered graded doses of 0, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 mg/kg bw, respectively. The result of study revealed that administration of the Khaya senegalensis for twenty-eight days at the experimental dose resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increase in urea, electrolytes (Na(+), K(+)), and creatinine levels. The extract also significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum activity of ALT, AST, and ALP. The levels of protein, albumin, and bilirubin were significantly changed when compared to their control values, but they were not dose dependent. The hematological indices assayed in this study were not significantly affected at the experimental dose when compared to the control values. Histological studies of the liver showed cellular degeneration and necrosis and bile duct hyperplasia and fibrosis with lymphocytic infiltration of the hepatocyte, providing supportive evidence for discussing the biochemical findings, indicative of functional derangement. The histological architecture of the kidney and that of the heart were however preserved. The result of this study indicates that the aqueous stem bark extract of K. senegalensis may affect the cellular integrity of vital organs of the body.

Intussusception and volvulus secondary to jejunal adenocarcinoma in an adult Nigerian male: a case report.

A 31 year-old Nigerian man with jejuno-jejunal intussusception with the lead point being an adenocarcinoma complicated by small intestinal volvulus is presented. The subtle clinical features of an underlying small bowel malignancy were masked by the overwhelming clinical and radiological features of intussusception. rare case is reported to remind clinicians to have an increased index of suspicion of malignancy in patients who present with the usual features of chronic anemia, weight loss and loss of appetite with an intra-abdominal mass. The presentation of acute intestinal obstruction, with mesenteric vein thrombosis probably due to intussusception or volvulus should not however lower the suspicion. Histological evaluation of surgical biopsies is of immense importance.

Solitary giant neurofibroma of the scalp with calvarial defect in a child.

Neurofibroma of the scalp are mostly multiple as part of neurofibromatosis or other phakomatosis. De novo solitary types are less common and rarely erode the skull, unlike the intracranial counterpart. Skull erosion has been reported in adults with longstanding plexiform neurofibromas. We report a giant neurofibroma on the scalp of a five-year-old boy, managed in our center. Although this condition is a rare entity, it should be anticipated and the treatment strategy should include repair of the skull defect.