Niger J Clin Pract
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Case Reports
Reconstruction of the chest wall after excision of a giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
Primary chest wall tumors are uncommon and constitute 0.2-2% of all tumors. Metastatic tumors and tumors of local extension are more common. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the chest wall is even rarer and its incidence on the chest wall not stated in the literature. ⋯ Following evaluation and investigations, the tumor was excised and the residual defect closed with methylmetacrylate sandwiched between two prolene meshes and overlaid with both pectoralis major muscles. The histology of the excised mass revealed MPNST He made an uneventful postoperative recovery, but died barely 3 months later from widespread pulmonary metastases. A review of the literature revealed that such tumors hardly ever reach such large-size as in our case.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a public health problem and is associated with many complications. However little is known about the psychiatric sequelae of TBI in Nigeria. This study described the pattern and determinants of psychiatric sequelae among subjects with TBI. ⋯ Psychiatric sequelae are common after TBI. Long periods of LOC and PTA are predictive of such sequelae. Efforts should be made to prevent RTA, communal clashes and other activities that can lead to TBI.
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Case Reports
Negative pressure dressing combined with a traditional approach for the treatment of skull burn.
Deep burns of the calvarium due to high-voltage electrical current present serious therapeutic challenges in the healing. In this study, as an alternative approach to the treatment of burned skull, negative pressure dressing is used to facilitate separation of the necrotic bones from healthy margins of the cranium, and to encourage rapid granulation tissue formation after trephination of the bone. A 36-year-old male patient, who had been seriously injured on his head with high-voltage electrical current, is presented. ⋯ Therefore, the patient underwent another operation in which devitalized outer table of the skull was easily removed from viable bone by using a little force. Elevation of the necrotic outer bony layer revealed profuse granulation tissue formation over the inner layer. When dealing with this experience, vacuum-assisted dressing seems to be a useful tool in acceleration of the separation of necrotic bones and stimulation of granulation tissue formation in burned calvarium.
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Comparative Study
Comparative ultrasound measurement of normal thyroid gland dimensions in school aged children in our local environment.
The objective of this study was to determine the measurement of normal range of ultrasound (US) thyroid gland dimensions in school-aged children (6-16 years) in our environment and compared with what is obtained elsewhere. ⋯ Ultrasound thyroid gland dimensions in school-aged children in our environment are reproducible and the data obtained are comparable to those obtained in other environment. The values may be better used in our environment as reference data for screening purposes.
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Cervical cancer screening is the key to reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developing countries. In the absence of a national screening program, healthcare givers in Nigeria are encouraged to routinely inform and screen eligible women. This review aims at equipping health workers for this task by re-educating them on the basics of the disease and its screening by cytology. ⋯ Abnormal Pap smear results are currently reported using either the Bethesda System or the British Society for Clinical Cytology classification, and colposcopy with or without biopsy are necessary when indicated. In conclusion, the use of cervical cytology to detect pre-cancerous lesions followed by an appropriate treatment when necessary is the key to reducing invasive cervical cancer. The task of provider-initiated counseling and testing for cervical cancer by health practitioners requires update on the current etio-pathology of cervical cancer, and its screening as reviewed.