Visual deterioration 1½ years after wrapping an un-clippable anterior communicating artery aneurysm: report of a case and review of the literature regarding opto-chiasmatic arachnoiditis

Objective: Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis (OCA) is a serious complication that can occur after wrapping of aneurysms in the proximity of the optic pathways. This paper seeks to illustrate one such case with a view to drawing attention to the dangers of this practice. Method: Single case report and review of the literature. Results: The clinical and radiological features of OCA are presented and discussed, which in this patient involved failing visual acuity as well as an inflammatory mass of the suprasellar area with oedema of the optic apparatus. Conclusion: Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis and its attendant visual morbidity is a serious condition. In the setting described, it arose as a result of wrapping an unclippable aneurysm. The tide of aneurysm management has turned, and presently more and more of them are being obliterated by endovascular techniques. Among other benefits, this reduces the likelihood of such complications as OCA. Keywords: Cerebral aneurysms; Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis; Aneurysm coiling; Aneurysm clipping; Aneurysm wrapping African Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 164-16

CATTLE AS ASSETS: ASSESSMENT OF NON-MARKET BENEFITS FROM CATTLE IN SMALLHOLDER KENYAN CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

This paper uses data from a survey of two hundred and fifty cattle households in three cattle keeping systems; intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems to estimate the value of non-market, socio-economic benefits of cattle in Kenya. These benefits of cattle keeping are of special importance in developing countries, where financial markets function poorly and opportunities for risk management through formal insurance generally absent. However, when estimating the total contribution of livestock, these non-market functions are often ignored since they are difficult to value, yet they may contribute to a better understanding of livestock production systems. The use of contingent valuation method is employed in this study to elicit these non-market values. Econometric estimations are then used to assess the factors influencing the non-market benefits function. The results indicate that these benefits are highly valued by cattle keepers and comprise approximately 20% of the animal's total value across the three systems. They are influenced by various production system and household related factors. Implications for policy are drawn.Livestock Production/Industries, QQ112, QQ118, DD223,

Demographic profile of patients diagnosed with intracranial meningiomas in two academic hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa: a 12-month prospective study

Background: Meningiomas are common brain tumours and display gender, racial and ethnic differences in their demographic profile. The demographic profile of our patients diagnosed with intracranial meningiomas is presented and compared with the literature.Objectives: To determine the age, gender, racial and ethnic distribution of our patients diagnosed with intracranial meningiomas.Methods: Consecutive patients (48 in number) seen at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Johannesburg, with histologically proven meningiomas over a 12 month period were recruited for the study.Results: Meningiomas accounted for 33.8% of all primary brain tumours. The mean age of patients was 45.7 ± 10.5 years with a female-to-male ratio of 3.8:1. The mean age for male patients was 39.3 ± 13.5 years while that of female patients was 47.4 ± 9.0 years. The peak age range at presentation was in the fifth (41.7%) decade. The highest frequency was among Black Africans (75%) and Sotho ethnic nationality (27.1%).Conclusion: The study showed a female preponderance for intracranial meningiomas among our patients. Although intracranial meningiomas were more in frequency among Black Africans, the racial distribution mirrored our population distribution while the highest frequency was among Sotho ethnic nationality.Key words: intracranial meningioma, demographic profile, age, gender, race, ethni

Effects of enforcement of the traffic act on injury severity among patients admitted at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru

Background: The Traffic Act was enforced in Kenya from 1st February 2004. Systematic evaluations of the effects of this enforcement on injury severity are unavailable.Objective: To compare injury severity among victims of public service vehicle (pSV) crashes in the periods one year before and one year after the enforcement of the Traffic Act.Design: A retrospective pre and post-intervention survey.Setting: Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru.Results: There were no changes in injury severity levels among the sampled patients before and after the enforcement of the Traffic Act (Most Absolute difference = 0.087, Kolmogorov-Smimov Z = 0.722, ñ > 0.05). The patients stayed in hospital for a median of three days in both policy periods. The mean age of the patients was 31.49 years (SD= 14.58) while three quarters of the patients were males. The age and sex profiles of the admitted patients did not change with the enforcement of the Traffic Act.Conclusion: The enforcement of the Traffic Act did not have any effect on injury severity among admitted PSV crash victims. Measures to lessen the burden of road traffic injury deserve greater attention