Paediatric orofacial tumours: New oral health concern in paediatric patients

Objective: This study aims to determine the incidence,`age, gender, orofacial sites and histological pattern of paediatric orofacial tumours in a Nigerian population. The yearly findings will be analysed to identify theinterval for increase in the incidence of paediatric orofacial tumours.Patients and Methods: A 21-year (1990 to 2010) retrospective analysis of paediatric orofacial tumours in children younger than 16 years was carried out in the Department of Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.Results: Of the 1013 diagnosed lesions within the study period, there were 137 (13.5%) paediatric orofacial tumours, among which 71 (51.8%) cases occurred within the last 6 years (2005 to 2010). There was male predilection for the lesions (78 males to 59 females, ratio = 1.3:1). The mean age was 9 + 4.3 years, with peak age group of 11 to 15 years (n=60, 43.8%). The mandible (n=44, 32.1%), followed by the maxilla(n=42, 30.7%) and orofacial soft tissue (n=19, 13.9%) were the most common sites. The benign tumours (n=72, 52.6%) were slightly more than the malignant tumours (n=65, 47.4%). There were more malignant tumours (n=23, 16.8%) than benign tumours (n=20, 14.6%) within the last 3 years (2008 to 2010) under review. Burkitt’s lymphoma (n=38, 27.7%) was the commonest malignant lesion.Conclusion: This study showed a recent increase in the incidence of  paediatric orofacial tumours, particularly due to a higher incidence of Burkitt’s lymphoma.Keywords: Paediatrics, Orofacial tumour, Benign, Malignant, Oral Healt

Oral factors associated with delusional halitosis: a report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Objective: To emphasize the relevance of patient's associated oral predisposing factor(s) in the evaluation, counselling and treatment of delusional halitosis.Method: Delusional halitosis was diagnosed using the standard halitosis questionnaire, clinical examination, halimeter assessment and mental health assessment were done.Results: Three cases of delusional halitosis were diagnosed with associated carious teeth, bitter taste and seepage of saliva from around an upper single tooth denture as the oral predisposing factors for the condition. Two of the patients benefited from anti-anxiety medication, counselling and behavioural therapy.Conclusion: The role of dentists in the management of delusional halitosis is emphasized. The oral factors linked as triggers for delusional halitosis in this study were useful for counselling the patients on the possible cause of their oral malo dour, which was followed up with behavioural therapy. Dental practitioners interested in assisting patients with psychosomatic tendencies need to be trained in cognitive behavioural therapy. Instead of a referral to mental health specialists, we recommend a joint clinic where the therapy sessions are in a dental setting.KEY WORDS: counselling, delusion, dentist, halitosis, oral-facto

Acute Pericoronitis And The Position Of The Mandibular Third Molar In Nigerians

This study evaluates the relationship of acute pericoronitis to the position of the mandibular third molar in Nigerians. One hundred and thirty-two cases of acute pericoronitis seen over a period of 6 months at the state Dental Centre, Kaduna were studied. The tooth with the highest risk for acute pericoronitis was found to be vertically positioned third molar (57.4%); followed respectively by distoangular (25.9%) and mesioangular (14.8%) impactions. The height of such a tooth in relation to the second molar was found to correlate with deep pocket distal to the tooth (P< 0.05). The observation in this study showed that most of the teeth of the vertically impacted group were either at the same occlusal level or slightly above. A change in the classification of vertical impaction into 'false' and 'true' vertical impactions is suggested

Maxillofacial trauma due to road traffic accidents in Benin City, Nigeria: a prospective study

Background: The incidence and causes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) vary with geographical location. The economic and social costs of RTAs are enormous. The knowledge of aetiologic factors and associated injury patterns may be important in planning for prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to document the aetiological factors and the frequency of maxillofacial injuries due to RTAs. Methods: Over a six-month period, 312 patients with facial trauma due to RTAs were prospectively studied. The demographic parameters, the cause of the RTA, the vehicle type, the use of seat belts, helmets, and other safety devices were recorded. Distribution of maxillofacial bone and soft tissue injuries by vehicle type as well as associated injuries were documented. Results: The minibus was the vehicle type most often involved (36.2%) and tyre blowout (21.2%) was identified as the most common contributory factor. Males 117 (37.5%) in the 21 – 30 year- age range were most often involved. The forehead was most often the site of soft tissue injury (37.3%) while the mandible was the facial bone most often fractured (29.2%). Head injury (55.8%) was the commonest associated injury. Conclusion: The low utilization of safety devices like seat belts and air bags as well as the absence and non-enforcement of road traffic legislation were identified as aetiological factors. Keywords: Aetiologic factors, maxillofacial trauma, road traffic accidents Annals of African Medicine Vol.2(2) 2003: 58-6

Autogenous Tooth Transplantation In Adult Orofacial Cleft Deformity: A Case Report

A case of autotransplantation of a tooth in a 26 year old female African cleft palate patient is reported. This case report emphasizes the possibility and success of autotransplantation in our centre, it also emphasizes that transplantation is only technique sensitive but less equipment sensitive. It further stresses that an otherwise extracted and discarded tooth can be used to make natural functional unit. Keyword: autotransplantation, tooth, cleft palate, success, technique sensitive, extraction

Frequency Of Delusional Halitosis In A University Community

Objective: This study reviewed the prevalence of delusional halitosis and analyzed the frequency of this condition within the University Community, over a period of three years. Method: Sixty-eight (68) patients with delusional halitosis were diagnosed over a period of three years (2001 to 2003), at the Dental Hospital, University of Benin, Nigeria. Results: Within the University Community; there were 14 cases (20.1%) and the largest group was within 20 to 29 years, 12 cases (17.7%). Conclusion: The study suggests an increased level of awareness or an increased prevalence of this condition within the same population. A fifth of the patients were within the University Community; mostly male students who suffered social embarrassment and poor academic performance. Key Words: Frequency, Delusional Halitosis, University-Communit

Triglycerides and TG/HDL‑C ratio as surrogate markers for insulin resistance in Nigerian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the most perplexing metabolic consequences in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and hyperandrogenism, the pervasive features of PCOS, play significant pathophysiological roles in the lipidemic aberrations associated with the syndrome.Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of triglyceride (TG) and triglyceride to high‑density lipoprotein‑cholesterol (TG/HDL‑C) ratio as surrogate markers for identifying IR in infertile Nigerian women with PCOS.Materials and Methods: Eighty‑seven infertile women with PCOS were selected according to the Androgen Excess Society criteria and categorized into two groups. After anthropometric measurements, fasting blood samples were assayed for plasma glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol, TG, HDL‑C while lipoprotein ratios were calculated. Homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA‑IR) was used in defining IR. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to compare the power of the serum markers, and to obtain the optimal cutoffs of TG and TG/HDL‑C with HOMA‑IR.Results: TGs correlated significantly with HOMA‑IR in the obese PCOS women. However, the areas under the ROC of potential markers showed no significant marker for HOMA‑IR. The highest area under the curve of ROC for TG belongs to the obese group with a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 53% (TG ≥ 92.5mg/dL) as a marker of IR in obese PCOS women.Conclusion: TG and TG/HDL‑C would not be reliable markers of IR, and a concerted approach in finding surrogate markers will benefit future  investigations. Key words: Insulin resistance; Nigerian women; polycystic ovary syndrome; surrogate marker; triglyceride

Survival of Escherichia Coli in Lagos Lagoon

There was a gradual decrease in the population of Escherichia coli incubated in autoclaved and unautoclaved (raw) water samples obtained from three different sampling stations of the Lagos lagoon. The survival period of the bacterium was generally shorter in the unautoclaved than in the autoclaved water sample; and also varied with the season. In November, 1976, the survival periods in unautoclaved (raw) samples were 6 and 8 days respectively; while in February, 1977 they were 12 days for all three water samples. For the autoclaved water samples the survival periods in November 1976 were 12 and 14 days; while in February, 1977 they were 22, 24 and 32 days. The survival period was also affected by seasonal variations in some physic-chemical parameters of the lagoon

Perceived Causes of Childhood Illnesses and Herbal Medicine Utilization among Mothers of Child-Patients in Lokoja, Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria

The joy of ownership of children in Africa either as an “Agro-based” labour pool, social symbol or for physical and security purposes cannot be over-emphasized. As important as children are in Nigeria, their lives are almost always threatened by several problems such as nutritional deficiencies and illnesses, especially malaria, diarrhoea diseases, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and absolute poverty, which accounted significantly for the severe morbidity and mortality rates among children less than age five years. The study, therefore, investigated utilization of herbal medicine among mothers of under-five children in Lokoja, Kogi state, North-central Nigeria. The descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to study 300 mothers of paediatric patients. The questionnaire was designed to elicit the data from the respondents through the systematic and purposive sampling techniques. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 18.0. was used to analyse the data collected while the hypotheses were tested using the spearman rank correlation. The study findings revealed among others that, the respondents considered herbal remedies safe for the treatment of their sick children and so expressed satisfaction with the products used. Similarly, the perception of disease aetiology among the respondents had a significant positive correlation with the utilization of herbal medicine, while religious affiliations and orientations positively influenced the use of the medicine in the study area. The study, therefore, concluded that herbal medicine is an integral aspect of the overall healthcare delivery system and should be promoted for remedial intervention at the outset of diseases. Perception of disease aetiology and religious affiliations are predictors of the respondents’ health seeking behaviour. “Cross-system” referral is recommended for herbal as well as orthodox medical practitioners if the jeopardizing health of the under-five children is to be addressed holistically. Keywords: Disease Aetiology, child-Patients, Herbal Medicine, and Utilizatio

Maxillofacial Trauma Due to Road Traffic Accidents in Benin City, Nigeria: A Prospective Study

Background: The incidence and causes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) vary with geographical location. The economic and social costs of RTAs are enormous. The knowledge of aetiologic factors and associated injury patterns may be important in planning for prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to document the aetiological factors and the frequency of maxillofacial injuries due to RTAs. Methods: Over a six-month period, 312 patients with facial trauma due to RTAs were prospectively studied. The demographic parameters, the cause of the RTA, the vehicle type, the use of seat belts, helmets, and other safety devices were recorded. Distribution of maxillofacial bone and soft tissue injuries by vehicle type as well as associated injuries were documented. Results: The minibus was the vehicle type most often involved (36.2%) and tyre blowout (21.2%) was identified as the most common contributory factor. Males 117 (37.5%) in the 21 - 30 year- age range were most often involved. The forehead was most often the site of soft tissue injury (37.3%) while the mandible was the facial bone most often fractured (29.2%). Head injury (55.8%) was the commonest associated injury. Conclusion: The low utilization of safety devices like seat belts and air bags as well as the absence and non-enforcement of road traffic legislation were identified as aetiological factors