Technology – Enhanced Pathology Education: Nigerian Medical Students Perspectives

Background: The delivery of pathology education traditionally through instructor centred didactic lectures, small group tutorials, and practical demonstrations using microscope glass slides, gross pot specimens and autopsy sessions, is paving way for electronic learner-centred methods. Successful adoption and implementation of rapidly advancing educational technologies in the resource-constrained environment obtainable in most of sub-Sahara Africa requires a comprehensive analysis of the learners’ reflections on their use and effectiveness.Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the perspectives of medical students towards the ever-advancing ways of teaching and learning pathology in Nigeria.Materials and methods: Fifty-five fourth year medical students randomly selected from two universities were given survey questionnaire. The questionnaires enquired into opinions of the students on the various aspects of the use of ICT in pathology education.Results: Studying with microscope mounted glass slides was considered by the majority (33, 60%) of the 55 respondents to be the most effective method of learning pathology and 24 (43.6%) favoured the projection of the glass slide on a large screen using a camera-mounted microscope. Twenty-seven (49.1%) preferred projected computer based digital microscope images. Twenty students (36.4%) disagreed with the use of internet-based images during practical classes. Prior distribution of digital images to students’ hand – held devices days before classes was agreed to by 19 (34.5%) and strongly agreed to by 15 (27.3%) students. Annotated digital images, instead of glass slides, were favoured by 50, (91%) students.  Self-study with webinars was not supported by 26, (47.2%) students. Eleven (20%) students strongly agree, 25 (45.5%) agree, eight (14.5) are undecided, and 10 (18.2%) disagree that the use of digital microscope images reduces microscope handling proficiency. The use of digital images instead of mounted glass slides during objective structured practical examination was supported by 20, (36.4%) students. Forty-seven (85.5%) reported interrupted classes due to faulty equipment.Conclusion: The challenge of developing ways for better delivery of pathology curriculum content to future doctors compels medical educators to explore easier ways of teaching and learning. This study has demonstrated that medical students in Nigeria favour technology enhanced learning and the integration of new teaching methods into already existing frameworks. Keywords: technology-enhanced learning, pathology, pathology education, student perspective

The Effect of Varied Doses of Nicotine on Some Morphometric Parameters of the Testis in Albino Wistar Rats

Background: This study is aimed at determining the effect of nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some morphometric parameters of male Wistar rat such as testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, height of epithelium, sertoli-germ cell ratio and Johnsen’s score  in order to assess the spermatogic  index. Methods: 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight of nicotine base daily for 30 days using a polythene catheter orally , while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9%physiological saline. Histological slides of the testis were made and data obtained from the slides. Results: nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of the morphometric parameters of the test group compared with control. The Johnsen’s Score results were 5.4 ± 0.51*, 5.2 ± 0.37* for groups 2 and 3 respectively. For seminiferous tubule diameter the significant values were 208.0±4.22**, 184.5±11.31**in groups 2 and 3, whilst the height of epithelium showed a significant reduction of 153.9± 13.58*, 101.6 ± 1.35**, 76.6 ± 6.65** for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Sertoli-germ cell ratio showed a significant reduction in groups 2 and 3 with values of 3.6 ± 0.77 ** , 1.5 ±  0.16**for groups 2, and 3 respectively, testicular weight showed significant reduction of 1.2±0.05**,1.1±0.05** for group 2 and 3.The results stated are only those that showed a significant reduction at 95% confidence level when compared with the control. Conclusion:  It was concluded that nicotine exerted an adverse effects on the spermatogenic index with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat. Nicotine and nicotine- based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility in man and animal. Key words: Morphometric parameters ,Johnsen’s Score,Spermatogenic index , fertilit

Persistent alveolar soft-part sarcoma with liver metastasis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Alveolar soft-part sarcomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that metastasize commonly via vascular routes to the lungs, bones, lymph nodes and brain, causing morbidity and mortality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing metastasis to the liver reported from Nigeria.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 57-year-old man of the Urhobo ethnic group of Nigeria presented with a persistent mass in his left calf. It was initially diagnosed as soft-tissue sarcoma, and its associated systemic effects lead to his death before a histological diagnosis could be obtained.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Alveolar soft-part sarcoma with metastasis to the liver can occur in our region (northeast Africa), and a high index of suspicion is required to make an early diagnosis, followed by prompt surgical excision with clear margins in order to prevent mortality.</p

Review of oral and maxillofacial biopsies in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Oral cancers have remained a global burden amidst the inadequate access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa. This study&nbsp; investigated the histological pattern of oral and maxillofacial biopsies in north-central Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 167 oral and maxillofacial biopsies obtained over a six year period in a tertiary hospital in&nbsp; Makurdi, Nigeria. Results: The 167 biopsy samples had a mean age of 34.4±18.0 years. There were 65 males (38.9%) and 102 females (61.1%).&nbsp; Benign conditions constituted 76.6% (n=128/167) while the malignant tumours were 23.4% (n=39/167). The benign conditions had a mean age of&nbsp; 32.3±16.3 years. These had 44 (34.4%) males and 84 (65.6%) females, and 1:1.9 male: female (m:f) ratio. Inflammatory and reactive lesions were the most common benign conditions and constituted 26.6% (n=34/128) followed by odontogenic tumours (21.1%, n=27/128). Ameloblastoma (18.5%,&nbsp; n=24/128) was the most frequent benign odontogenic tumour. The malignant tumours had a mean age of 40.9±21.6 years. Malignant cases had 21&nbsp; (53.8%) males and 18 (46.2%) females (m:f ratio, 1:2). The common malignant tumours were squamous cell carcinoma (28.2%, n=11/39), adenoid&nbsp; cystic carcinoma (23.1%, n=9/39) and rhabdomyosarcoma (10.3%, n=4/39) in descending order of frequency. Biopsies in the paediatric age groups&nbsp; contributed 20.5% of the malignant lesions and most of them (7.7%, n=3/39) were rhabdomyosarcomas. Conclusion: Most of the cases were&nbsp; inflammatory conditions. Ameloblastoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the most frequent benign and malignant tumours, respectively.&nbsp

Adipocytic Tumours: A review of demographics and histological spectrum in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Adipocytic tumours, although frequently found in routine clinical practice, the rare forms may occasionally pose diagnostic challenges. The objective of this study was to evaluate the histological spectrum of biopsies of adipocytic tumours in a tertiary health care centre in north-&nbsp; central region of Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on archival records, slides and case notes of patients with adipocytic tumours whose biopsy&nbsp; specimens were received and histologically diagnosed in the histopathology laboratory of a regional tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Results: There were 105 cases of patients with adipocytic tumours analyzed. The patients had a mean age of 41.9±15.2 years and a peak frequency&nbsp; in the 30-39 years age group. They comprised of 52 (49.5%) males and 53 (50.5%) females. One hundred (95.2%) cases were benign and five (4.8%),&nbsp; malignant. Lipoma made up 94.4% (n=99/105) of all the cases. Most lipomas were found on the back (15.2%, 15), followed by the thigh (8.1%, 8),&nbsp; neck (7.1%, 7), and buttocks (6.1%, 6). Other benign adipocytic tumours include fibrolipoma, angiolipoma and spindle cell lipoma. The five malignant&nbsp; tumours present were all liposarcomas (4.8%, n=5/105). The patients with liposarcomas had a mean age of 55±13.8 years. The subtypes&nbsp; of this tumour found include the well differentiated (60%, n=3/5), pleomorphic liposarcoma (20%, n=1/5) and myxoid liposarcoma (20%, n=1/5). Two&nbsp; of the well differentiated liposarcomas occurred at intra-abdominal sites while the three other malignant tumours were superficial. Lipoblastoma&nbsp; and dedifferentiated liposarcoma were not found in this review. Conclusion: The adipocytic tumours were mostly benign lipomas while the cancers formed a very minute proportion