Isolated congenital fusion of the gums.

Isolated congenital fusion of the gums is a rare anomaly. Early surgical treatment is indicated, as longstanding cases will impair normal feeding leading to nutritional and growth problems. We report the first case in the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, which was successfully managed surgically.

[Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon children: descriptive and clinico-anatomical aspects]. / Lymphome de Burkitt chez l'enfant au Cameroun: aspects descriptifs et anatomocliniques.

This retrospective study is armed to indicate the descriptive and pathological aspects of children Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon. It was performed on a 4 year period between July 1988 and July 1992. Children from 0 to 15-year-old who were hospitalized and who had histologically provern Burkitt lymphoma were included. There were 39 patients, that is 27% of all malignant tumors in children during this period. Twenty-four were boys and 15 were girls; the median age was 90 months (+/-46) (range from 3 to 180 months). All children had Plasmodium falciparum infection. EBV serology was positive in 18 patients out of 25 (72%), 14 (36%) had a good nutritional status, the 25 other patients suffered malnutrition. Tumor localizations were: maxillary in 29 (74%) patients, abdominal in 7 (18%), other in 3 patients. Clinical stages according to Murphy classification were: stage I in 6 (15%) patients, II in 3 (8%), III in 20 (51%) and IV in 10 (26%). It is concluded from this series that clinical aspects and histological pattern in children Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon are not different from what is observed in other endemic areas.

Fine needle aspiration of the spleen at the Yaounde Central Hospital

The aim of the study was to find out if the fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the spleen is feasible in our milieu. The technic was used in 5 patients with splenomegaly and without a precise disgnosis; at the Yaounde Central Hospital. The aspirated sample was submitted to a cytological examination that showed lymphomatous lymphoblastic cells in 3 patients and normal lymphoid cells in 2. Fine needle aspiration of the spleen is feasible in our milieu under certain conditions. Hemorrage which is its main complication was not observed in our study of 5 patients

[Benign sacro-coccygeal teratoma. A case report in Yaounde, Cameroon]. / Tératome sacro-coccygien bénin. A propos d'un cas observé à Yaoundé, Cameroun.

The authors describe a cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma observed in an infant after pregnancy without ultrasound surveillance. The mass was located in the buttock with a mainly exo-pelvic extension. There was no other malformation. Ultrasound examination revealed a heterogeneous structure with solid and liquid areas. Alphafoetoprotein level was high but the beta-HCG level was normal. The surgical specimen weighed 1990 grams and presented microcystic cavities and calcifications. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of benign complex multitissue teratoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and development of the child was normal 45 months after the procedure. The authors review the histologic, diagnostic, and prognostic features of teratomas and emphasize the importance of early surgical management, which is usually feasible in Africa.

[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.

[Renal puncture biopsy in nephrotic syndrome in Cameroonian children, adolescent and adults: histopathologic profile according to age]. / Ponctions-biopsies rénales au cours du syndrome néphrotique de l'enfant, du jeune et de l'adulte camerounais: profile histopathologique selon l'âge.

Eighty-six renal biopsies were under-taken in the Nephrology Service of the Yaounde Central Hospital (Cameroon, Central Africa) during a 4 year period (1st January 1986 to 31st of December 1989). Fifty of them (58%) were done in case of nephrotic syndrome associated or not with hypertension, renal failure. Only 42 of these 50 biopsies were valid and concerned 9 patients aged 8 to 15 years, 22 aged 16 to 30 years and 11 above 30 years. On the whole, 3 main lesions were noted: minimal changes (16 cases: 38.4%), membranous glomerulonephritis (13 cases: 31.2%) and proliferative glomerulonephritis (10 cases: 24%). From the analysis of lesions observed in each age group, it was found that the histopathologic profile of renal biopsies during nephrotic syndrome is practically identical in cameroonian children, young and adults with a relative predominance of minimal change and various glomerular lesions regardless of the age group.