Effectiveness of mixture of aspirin and ethanol regimen in the management of geographic tongue: a prospective study.

Geographic tongue is usually an asymptomatic inflammatory disorder of the tongue; however, symptomatic cases do occur and require treatment. Several management strategies have been reported yet they are neither specific nor curative. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an aspirin-ethanol mixture in the management of geographic tongue. Methods: In this prospective study, an analysis of medical reports of symptomatic cases of geographic tongue managed using an aspirin-ethanol mixture was done. The treatment regimen involved dissolving 3 mg of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) into 1 ml of 70% v/v ethanol. Then a sterile gauze is soaked in the prepared mixture and is topically used to clean the tongue with gentle pressure for 2-3 min. Results: The records of 23 patients were analyzed. There were more females (19, 82.6%), and the age range of patients was 15-43 years (mean age of 23.4 years). The symptoms that the patient described included: oral discomfort, burning sensations of the tongue, pain, and loss of taste. Only 21 (91.3%) patients were asymptomatic at 3 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Short-term topical application of the aspirin-ethanol mixture was shown to be effective in treating symptomatic geographic tongue.

Use of 3D printed model as a reconstruction aid in the management of an extensive ameloblastoma of the mandible.

Ameloblastoma is a benign jaw tumor that can grow to a very huge size with high rate of recurrence. The large tumors pose a challenge during resection and reconstructive surgery. We present a massive ameloblastoma of the mandible that was surgically treated with the aid of 3D printed model.

Nourishing nations during pandemics: why prioritize fish diets and aquatic foods in Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic caught the world unprepared, with containment measures impacting both global supply chains and agri-commodity flows. The public health crisis raised some urgent questions: "how can fish and other aquatic foods and supply chains be prioritized as health-related interventions to avert both a malnutrition crisis and gender inequality?" Furthermore, "what are the integrated responses, investment opportunities, and governance mechanisms to effectively address the pandemic?" As "super foods," diets of fish and aquatic foods provide animal-source protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and micronutrients, including both vitamins and minerals, necessary for both the ill and the healthy. The affordability and accessibility of fish could address food and nutrition security needs under lockdown and border closures, boost immune systems, and increase commodity trade. This analytical piece focuses on the continent of Africa, where malnutrition is pervasive, but also where local aquatic food supplies can be utilised during lockdowns and border closures. The paper provides governance insights on national budget support programs and portfolio restructuring to strengthen local aquatic foods production systems to meet dietary needs. Furthermore, the authors advocate for a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention across several well-being domains in the immediate and medium-term involving various partnerships. These integrated responses will mutually limit the contagion while providing support to functional fish value chains for healthy diets, livelihoods, cross-border trade, and long-term macroeconomic recovery.

The Pattern of Orbital Fractures Managed at Two Referral Centers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Orbital fractures are one of the commonest injuries in mid-face trauma and can lead to significant functional and cosmetic defects. This study was aimed at analyzing the pattern of orbital fractures at 2 referral centers in Nairobi. It was a descriptive prospective hospital-based study of the demographics, etiology, clinico-radiological features, and management modalities among patients presenting with orbital fractures at the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital and Kenyatta National Referral Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 60 patients (52 males, 8 females; P <0.05) with confirmed orbital fractures were recruited during the 6-months study period. Orbital fractures occurred most frequently in the 21 to 40-year-old age group (80%, P<0.05). The principal etiological factors were motor cycle crashes; 30%, interpersonal violence 23.3%, public vehicle crushes 20%, private vehicle crushes; 10%, injury from flying objects 10% and falls 8.3%. The most commonly affected anatomical sites were the floor (75%), the lateral wall (71.7%), infra-orbital rim (66.7%), zygomatico-frontal suture (63.3%). There were 5 (8.3%) cases of total blindnessThe impure orbital fractures that involve the satellite bones especially the zygomatic complex predominate.

Clinical features and types of paediatric orofacial malignant neoplasms at two hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical features and histopathological types of orofacial malignant neoplasms in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved patients aged 15 years and below diagnosed with malignancy at two main referral hospitals in Kenya during the period from July, 2008 to December, 2008. A questionnaire and clinical examination chart were used to document data. Data analysis was done using SPSS 12.0 programme. RESULTS: 65 children (44 males, 21 females) with ages ranging from 0.25 to 14 years were evaluated. The main complaints were swelling 61 (94%) and visual disturbance 29 (45%). The mean duration of symptoms was 0.17-36 months. The commonest signs were leucocoria (white reflection from the retina) 23 (35%), proptosis 19 (29%) and loss of vision 15 (23%). The commonest sites were orbit 30 (46%) and maxilla 11 (17%). Most neoplasms were retinoblastoma 26 (40%), followed by 14 (21%) cases of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and occurred in patients under 5 years of age (40 cases) followed by 19 cases in children aged 5-10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, malignancies were more common in males than females with most having been diagnosed in children aged less than 10 years. Retinoblastoma and BL were the most common neoplasms.

A multinational injury surveillance system pilot project in Africa.

This paper describes the development of a pilot project to test the implementation of an epidemiological surveillance system for intentional (violent) and non-intentional injuries, at emergency departments in selected hospitals in five African countries applying the World Health Organization's guidelines. We outline obstacles and opportunities encountered during the process. By definition, a surveillance system systematically collects, reviews, and evaluates information to understand the context in which specific injuries occur. Implementation in diverse sociocultural environments in Zambia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Kenya has provided an opportunity to gather reliable data on injuries for comparisons between these countries. Analysis of the detailed information may permit researchers to generate evidence-based recommendations. Addressed to public authorities, and health authorities in particular, they can help address injury incidence in their communities from a public health perspective.

Maxillary obturator prosthesis rehabilitation following maxillectomy for ameloblastoma: case series of five patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the benefits and applicability of appropriate maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation following surgical resection of ameloblastoma of the maxilla in Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients presenting with ameloblastoma of the maxilla over 3 years were studied with respect to histologic type, site of tumor, resultant surgical defect, and form of definitive obturator prosthesis. Impressions were taken using irreversible hydrocolloid and poured with dental stone. Immediate surgical obturators were fabricated from casts using clear autopolymerizing acrylic resin. One patient had bilateral partial maxillectomy, whereas the rest had unilateral partial maxillectomy. Immediate surgical obturators were fitted intraoperatively and held in place using Adams clasps on the remaining natural dentition for all patients, except the one who had undergone bilateral partial maxillectomy, whose surgical obturator was held loosely using circumzygomatic wires. After 6 to 8 weeks, surgical obturators and packing were withdrawn, and new impressions were taken to fabricate definitive obturators. Patients were reviewed every 2 weeks for 3 months, then once every 3 months per year for 3 years, and thereafter once per year. RESULTS: The immediate surgical obturators facilitated retention of the surgical packing, promoting healing with minimal postsurgical infection and scar contracture formation. This ensured the restoration of acceptable esthetics and maintenance of oral function at a reasonable level during the initial postoperative period. Definitive obturators restored esthetics, oral function, and ability to handle secretions to a satisfactory level. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory functional and esthetic results are achievable in patients with extensive acquired maxillary defects by means of obturator prostheses fabricated using readily available materials.

HIV/AIDS and debt crises: threat to human survival in sub-Saharan Africa.

Whether originating from the African primates in the Central African forest, or from polio vaccine trials by some western scientists, there is no doubt that HIV/AIDS poses the greatest single challenge to the marginalized poor of Africa, where it has found a malnourished, vulnerable, defenceless host. Collective response is necessary by physicians and health professionals who must be at the forefront of restoring hope and a dignified quality of life. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS is not a security threat but a painful slow death which forces victims into exhausting their lifetime savings on expensive medicines and massive hospital bills. It leaves helpless orphans to struggle for survival in countries where government subsidy on education and healthcare has been long withdrawn so as to channel the meagre state resources into debt servicing. A combination of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Third World debt is subjecting millions of children to the worst form of violence. This article reviews the situation in sub-Saharan Africa, with special reference to Kenya and South Africa as examples of countries devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Changes elsewhere are noted and the global response is critically examined.