[Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by needle puncture--aspiration and cytological test. The experience in Cameroon]. / Diagnostic du carcinome hépato-cellulaire par ponction-aspiration à l'aiguille et examen cytologique. L'expérience du Cameroun.

The authors report their experience of the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma using needle aspiration cytology over a four year period (1989-1992). In 116 of the 119 patients presenting with histologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma, the diagnosis was previously established by cytology. This method has a 97% sensitivity. Also, in forty patients without hepatocellular carcinoma, previous cytology did not detect any carcinomatous cells and therefore recorded a 100% specificity. Thus, cytologic diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is possible. In countries with limited resources in which this carcinoma is widespread, needle aspiration cytology needs to be well known and used.

Gall stone disease in African patients with sickle cell anaemia: a preliminary report from Yaounde, Cameroon.

Cholecystosonography was undertaken in 90 patients with sickle cell disease aged 15 years and over. Gall stones were found in 26 (28.9%) patients. There was no sex difference, but the incidence increased with age from 13.2% at under 20 years to 75% at 30 years and over. The mean serum cholesterol and total and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations were not significantly different between patients with and without gall stones. As most (80.8%) stones were radiolucent they were probably of pigment type, containing little or no calcium, and further investigation into how they are produced is needed. Sickle cell patients with acute abdominal crisis should have gall bladder disease excluded before a diagnosis of vascular crisis is made.