Tuberculous mastitis simulating carcinoma of the breast in a young Nigerian woman: a case report

Tuberculous mastitis is an uncommon disease even in countries where tuberculosis is highly endemic. It typically presents a diagnostic challenge masquerading as carcinoma or other primary disease of the breast. We report the case of a young multiparous Nigerian woman who presented with a tender left breast lump and enlargement of the left axillary lymph nodes for which a provisional diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast was made after clinical and radiological evaluation. The mass was pathologically diagnosed as tuberculous mastitis and anti-tuberculous therapy was instituted although she later absconded. This case shows that TM may present a diagnostic challenge on clinical, radiologic and microbiological investigation. Therefore, a high index of suspicion as well as FNAC and/or histological evaluation of tissue samples remain very important its diagnosis

Eating Pattern, Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status of Children and Adolescents Residing in Orphanages in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: The population of orphaned children is increasing at devastating levels especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, only very little is known about the eating pattern, dietary diversity and the nutritional status of children living in orphanages. This study therefore aimed to assess the eating pattern, dietary diversity and the nutritional status of children residing in orphanages in southwestern Nigeria.Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 260 children in selected orphanages in Lagos State, south-western Nigeria, selected using two-stage sampling technique. The nutritional status of the respondents was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference values of 2007. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 24.0. The confidence interval was set at 95% with significant level at p<0.05.Results: Majority of the respondents (52.7%) were adolescents (10-19 years), 54.6% were females, 90.4% were attending schools and 90.0% were single-orphans. Majority of the respondents consumed fruits (97.7%), vegetables (80.0%), animal proteins (96.2%) and carbohydrates (96.2%) more than 3 times in the week preceding the study. The mean dietary diversity (DD) score was 4.6 ± 0.5, with 150 (57.3%) of the respondents having a high dietary diversity. Using BMI-for-age, 177 (68.1%) of the respondents were underweight and 23 (8.9%) were overweight/obese.Conclusion: Majority of the children living in orphanages were underweight, despite the reported healthy eating patterns and high dietary diversity. There is the need for nutritional interventions targeted at children living in orphanages in Nigeria. Keywords: Children; Dietary diversity; Eating pattern; Nutritional Status; Orphanag

Histopathology practice and training in Nigeria – a model

Objectives: Contemporary histopathology practice and training in Nigeria have been plagued by the fundamental issue of inadequate exposure to surgical pathology material by both trainees and trainers. This paper critically examines the factors that affect the discipline and profers practical solutions to aid its advancement.Materials and Method: This review is based on the authors experience and observations of histopathology practice in Nigeria.Results: The Nigerian health sector is plagued by many ills including poor funding, weak policies, dilapidated structures, disgruntled and frustrated practitioners, amongst others - and pathologists are not immune to all these. In recent times, there has been a proliferation of accredited training centres as well as medical graduates interested in the specialty of histopathology. The busiest histopathology laboratories in the country ascession between 2200 and 5500 surgical samples yearly. Thus there is inadequate exposure by histopathologists and trainee pathologists to surgical materials with the attendant consequences. Many centres still rely principally on routine haematoxylineosin stains. There are no nationally agreed standard reporting formats for most diseases.Conclusion: The development of a deanery or regional system of accredited histopathology laboratories may form the fulcrum for improving the overall quality of histopathological services and training in Nigeria. This will help develop local expertise and ensure adequate exposure to teaching aids and surgical materials. We hope that the proffered solutions will help encourage local pathologists to continue and increase their efforts to raise the profession up to enviable heights.Keywords: Histopathology, practice, training, nigeria, mode

Eating Pattern, Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status of Children and Adolescents Residing in Orphanages in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: The population of orphaned children is increasing at devastating levels especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, only very little is known about the eating pattern, dietary diversity and the nutritional status of children living in orphanages. This study therefore aimed to assess the eating pattern, dietary diversity and the nutritional status of children residing in orphanages in southwestern Nigeria.Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 260 children in selected orphanages in Lagos State, south-western Nigeria, selected using two-stage sampling technique. The nutritional status of the respondents was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference values of 2007. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 24.0. The confidence interval was set at 95% with significant level at p<0.05.Results: Majority of the respondents (52.7%) were adolescents (10-19 years), 54.6% were females, 90.4% were attending schools and 90.0% were single-orphans. Majority of the respondents consumed fruits (97.7%), vegetables (80.0%), animal proteins (96.2%) and carbohydrates (96.2%) more than 3 times in the week preceding the study. The mean dietary diversity (DD) score was 4.6 ± 0.5, with 150 (57.3%) of the respondents having a high dietary diversity. Using BMI-for-age, 177 (68.1%) of the respondents were underweight and 23 (8.9%) were overweight/obese.Conclusion: Majority of the children living in orphanages were underweight, despite the reported healthy eating patterns and high dietary diversity. There is the need for nutritional interventions targeted at children living in orphanages in Nigeria. Keywords: Children; Dietary diversity; Eating pattern; Nutritional Status; Orphanag

The comparison between cytological and histological grading of breast cancers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Nigeria. The tumour grade is an important prognostic factor and is also important in treatment of patients. Fine needle aspiration cytology can be used as an initial diagnostic tool for planning definitive management. Grading of tumours on cytology further guides therapeutic decisions. The aim of this study is to compare the correlation between the cytological and histological grading of malignant breast lumps using the Robinson's cytological grading system and Nottingham histological grading system respectively. The Objectives are, to determine the age distribution of breast cancer in our environment, to grade breast cancers cytologically using the Robinson's cytological grading system and to grade breast cancers histologically using the Nottingham histological grading system.Methods: This was a one year prospective study that involved 30 patients who had malignant smears on fine needle aspiration cytology of their breast lump. These smears were graded using the Robinson's cytological grading system and compared with the Nottingham histological grading systems of same lumps obtained from either tissue biopsies or mastectomies.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 50.23±10.11 years with a range of 35-70 years. Most (56.7%) malignat smears were of cytologic grade 3. The histological grade was 2 in 16(53.3%) and 3 in 14(46.7%) of the same breast tissue samples. The grade 2 tumours had the highest concordance rate of 83.3%. The absolute concordance rate between Robinson's cytological and Nottingham histological grading system of breast cancers was 73.3%.Conclusion: The Robinson's cytological and Nottingham histological grading systems showed good correlation.Keywords: Breast Cancer, fine needle aspiration cytology, cytological grading, histological gradin