Cervical lymphadenopathy in Ibadan, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the pattern and causes of lymph node enlargement of cervical region in Ibadan, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A 10-year (2003-2012) retrospective study was conducted on all head and neck lymph node biopsies received at the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.Results: A total of 101 lymph node biopsies of cervical region were received within this period of study. 59.4% cases were seen in Males. Second decade of life has the highest number of cases (22.8%) followed by 3rd decade (17.8%). The common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy include non -specific hyperplasia, tumour metastasis and Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma seen in 27 (26.7%), 22 (21.8%) and 20 (19.8%) respectively. Granulomatous and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma constitute 17 (16.8%) and 11 (10.9%) respectively. The granulomatous causes were all due to tuberculosis. A single case of Rosai-Dorfman disease was seen in a male in the 3rd decade of life.Conclusion: This study shows that metastatic tumours, Hodgkins lymphoma and Non Hodgkins lymphoma constituting 52.4% of all cases of cervical lymphadenopathy are common in this environment therefore highlighting the need for early and proper evaluation of patients.Keywords: Lymph node, Cervical region, Metastatic, Lymphomas, Ibada

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq): nature’s ecological endowment to eastern Nigeria

The paper highlights oil palm as a multipurpose tree crop symbolizing nature’s endowment to the people of South East, Nigeria, and presents available evidence that the center of origin for the palm is within the area. The structure of the natural habitat of the oil palm – the groves, from where several genetic collections have been made for the improvement of the crop worldwide – is described. The oil palm is viewed as closely interwoven with the people providing their requirements in terms of food, medicine and materials for infrastructural development. In a wider context, the ecological, socio-economic, and socio-cultural and traditional values of the palm are discussed. The history of efforts to exploit the potentials of the crop through domestication and genetic improvement is given. Because the potential of oil palm is yet exhausted, the action plan for further development in the natural habitat and plantations is also given, highlighting the prospects of increased oil palm production as well as some of the constraints on the way to realising this all-important project. The paper identifies areas needing action research towards the sustainable development of oil palm. Among other suggestions in this direction, the paper recommends the creation of a center of excellence in oil palm studies within the South East, Nigeria to expand the scientific exploitation of the natural groves and encourage plantation establishment for the benefit of not only the people whose God-given gift is now a highly valuable crop in the world, but the entire country and even beyond.Keywords: multipurpose tree, natural groves, oil palm plantations, agricultural growth, South East Nigeri

Audit of head and neck fine needle aspiration cytology from a tertiary institution in south - west Nigeria

Objective: FNAC is a well-established initial investigative tool for head and neck masses due to its being cost effective, quick to perform, low associated morbidity, high patient acceptability and high diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to audit the utilization and deployment of FNAC in the management of head and neck masses in our hospitalMethods: This is a retrospective study of all patients presenting for fine needle aspiration cytology of lesions in the head and neck region at our hospital for fifteen years (from 2008 to 2017). All data were extracted from the FNA clinic records. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21 and results presented as figures and percentages.Results: During the study period, 3194 patients were seen, 2789 had complete information for analysis. There were 875 males (31.4%) and 1914 females (68.6%). The ages ranged between 1 year and 103 years. Overall mean age was 39.7 + 17.9 years. The commonest site was the anterior neck, accounting for 1323 (47.4%) of the lesions. Cervical lymph nodal swellings accounted for 548 (19.6%)]. Benign lesions constituted 35%. A total of 160 (5.7%) specimens were reported as inconclusive. Malignant lesions had the highest prevalence in the 1-10year age group. There was no complication reported with any of the procedures.Conclusion: FNAC is an established tool for investigating head and neck lesions in our hospital. The practice however needs to be further developed in line with the recommendations of National Institute for Clinical Excellence for improved outcomes.Keywords: Fine needle aspiration cytology, head neck masse

Secondary ovarian neoplasms in a tertiary hospital in southwestern Nigeria

Background: The ovary is a common site of involvement for metastases constituting 5-30% of all malignant ovarian neoplasms. Over half of these tumours are bilateral. The commonest sources are stomach, large bowel, appendix, breast, uterus (corpus and cervix) and lung.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the histopathological pattern of metastases to the ovary at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria.Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study. All histologically confirmed cases of metastases to the ovary from the records and files of the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan between January 1991 and June 2013 were used for the study. These were cases diagnosed following total abdominal hysterectomy, total abdominal hystero-salpingooophorectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and multiple peritoneal biopsies and post-mortems at the University College Hospital between January 1991 and June 2013. Cases with inadequate clinical data and whose blocks and or slides could not be retrieved were excluded from the study. The data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20Results: There were 46 cases of metastases to the ovary constituting 5.3% of total ovarian neoplasms. Thirty (63.9%) cases were metastatic carcinomas with the affected patients’ age range of 20-79 years, and peak incidence within the age group of 30-39 years. Nineteen out of 30 cases of metastatic carcinomas were from adenocarcinoma of colon, 6 cases were from the gastric carcinoma while the remaining five cases were from the squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Fifteen (31.9%) cases of Burkitt Lymphoma were found with patients with age range of 0-39 years, and the peak age of occurrence at the 2nd decade. The only case of metastatic Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumour and metastatic Leiomyosarcoma were found in the 3rd and 4th decades of life respectivelyConclusion: This study has shown that metastases to the ovary occur in younger age groups in our environment. Therefore this study emphasizes that in young females with ovarian masses, the likelihood of metastatic tumours should not be discarded because, correct and precise diagnosis of secondary ovarian malignancy is critical as it has significant implication on the patients’ choice of management and prognosis.Keywords: Histopathological, Ovarian neoplasms, Metastases, Ibada

Bilateral ganglionic haemorrhagic stroke complicating suspected meningococcaemia: A case report

Haemorrhagic stroke in pyogenic meningitis is a rare complication accounting for about 2% of all complications1,2. It often results from disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a complication of bacterial meningitis and portends a poor prognosis. A superimposed intracranial haemorrhage, although extremely rare, is associated with high mortality rate. We report a child who had haemorrhagic stroke during the acute phase of bacterial meningitis. The diagnosis was made during post mortem examination. It wasdiscovered that she had suffered haemorrhagic necrosis of both basal ganglion nuclei. Early imaging is advised in meningitis patient presenting with altered levels of consciousness to detect cerebrovascular complications

Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Soil and Selected Edible Plants in the Vicinity of Major Lead-Zinc Mining Sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The occurrence of heavy metals in soil and selected edible plants (Manihot esculenta, Dioscorea rotundata, Ipomoea batatas, Telfairia occidentalis, and Chromolaena odorata) in the vicinity of major Lead-Zinc mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was investigated. The concentrations of the detected heavy metals in soil from the study sites ranged from 0.38-77830.99 (mg.kg-1). The limit values for all detected metals in soil from the mining sites were exceeded in most instances. The results showed that the plant species accumulated heavy metals near the mining sites to varying levels in their shoots and roots. The limit values for all detected heavy metals in the edible plants were not exceeded except in a few instances. The plant species demonstrated varying effectiveness for phytoextraction, indicating their appropriateness in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Therefore, examining the environmental consequences of uncontrolled mining activity in the vicinity of the mining sites with a scientific approach has helped to increase our knowledge of the pollution problem in the mining sites, reveal the ferocity of the situation, and contribute to the techniques presently in use for monitoring chemical pollution in a mining-impacted ecosystem

Pyocolpos Presenting as Obstructive Uropathy in a Six-week Infant: Challenges of Diagnosis and Management

Background: Urinary obstruction is a rare finding in females. When it occurs, it is usually due to an extrinsic obstructive cause. Pyocolpos is an uncommon cause of obstructive uropathy in children. Case report: We report the case of a six-week-old infant who presented to our facility with features of urinary obstruction due to pyocolpos. Diagnosis was quite challenging with repeated ultrasound scans. She was later discovered to have distal vaginal atresia as a cause of pyocolpos. She had an initial tube vaginostomy to drain the pus and was subsequently offered a vaginoplasty which was complicated by a rectovaginal fistula being managed expectantly. Conclusion: The diagnosis of pyocolpos is usually missed and therefore requires a high index of suspicion