Archive 2006 - No 2

*A A MAYUN *U H PINDIGA **A ABUBAKAR

Correspondence to: Dr. A A Mayun Histopathology Department U.M.T.H P M B 1414 Maiduguri.

Intra-operative consultation between the surgeon and the pathologist is very important. Frozen section technique performed by an experienced pathologist requested for by a surgeon well known to him or her is most valuable in this regard.The aim of frozen section is to establish the presence and nature of a lesion, adequacy of resection margins, positivity of lymph nodes, and the presence of malignant implants or metastasis in other organs. It however may not be possible to determine the accurate mitotic count and the degree of dysplasia by frozen sections. Although there were various descriptions of frozen section technique before and after the turn of the 20th century, LB Wilson of the Mayo Clinic heralded the beginning of a new era in intraoperative diagnosis. The purpose of this review is therefore to activate intra-operative consultation between the surgeon and the pathologist using frozen sections, as this will improve clinical services, give better training to resident doctors and improve hospital income..

Mairiga A.G, Bako B.G, Kawuwa M.B
Correspondence to: Dr. A.G Mairiga Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 1414, Maiduguri, Borno State. Nigeria.

Context: Uterine fibroid is the commonest tumour of the female genital tract and it is a common cause of morbidity among women of reproductive age. Objective: To determine the prevalence, common presentations, management modalities and post operative morbidities associated with uterine fibroid. Ways of reducing these morbidities were suggested. Study design and setting: This was a descriptive study of all the cases of uterine fibroids admitted in to the gynaecological ward of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri between 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2005. Subjects and methods: The case records of admitted patients were collated and analysed for presentation, managements, post operative outcome and complications. The relative proportion of cases admitted on account of uterine fibroid was compared with the total gynaecological admission. Results; Nine percent (9%) of the total gynaecological admission were due to uterine fibroids. Majoriy (70.7%) of the patients were in their 3rd and 4th decade of lives and 53.8% of the patients were para 0 or 1. The commonest presentation was lower abdominal swelling which was the complaint in 50.3%, followed by menstrual abnormality in 32.8%. Treatment was essentially surgical; 63.9% had myomectomy while 27.4% had hysterectomy. Twelve percent of the patients who had myomectomy subsequently became pregnant. Post operative pyrexia was the commonest complication and occurred in 6.5% of the patients. Conclusion: Uterine fibroid is a common problem in women of reproductive age in our environment and tends to grow to unsightly large sizes. Public enlightment and routine regular scan at 20 years followed regularly by scan or medical checkup will help in early detection and follow up. Early detection allows for easier and more conservative treatment.

Askira BH, Akobundu MN

Correspondence to: DR. Habila Umaru, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery University of MaiduguriTeaching Hospital PMB 1414 Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria E:mail; habilaumaru @yahoo.co.uk, Phone; +2348023027485

Objective: To determine the prevalence and types of refractive errors in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Northeastern Nigeria. Design: A retrospective study of patients with refractive errors seen at the eye clinic, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from January, 2006 to December, 2006. Results: A total of 388 patients had a non cycloplegic refraction. There were 186 males and 202 females (MF: 1:1.1). The most frequent age group was 31-40 years constituting 27.8% while age groups 21-30 and 41-50 constituted 21.1% and 20.15 respectively. Myopia was seen in 82(21.1%), Hypermetropia 8(4.7%) while astigmatism and presbyopia were seen in 89 (22.9%) and 199 (51.3%), respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence and types of refractive errors seen in Maiduguri are similar to those seen in the other parts of the country.

Adamu NB, Okoh AEJ, Nejo SI, Rodrigue D
Correspondence to: Dr. NB Adamu, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P M B 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Background: Dog population problems are mostly an urban problem. Occurrence of rabies in dog is related to the dog population density hence the need for ecological studies on dogs as it relates to rabies especially in Nigeria. There is paucity of information on dog ecological demography in Borno, northern Nigeria like in the rest of Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine stray tendency in dogs and its public health implications on the communities of the University of Maiduguri campus and its environs. Methodology: The study was cross sectional and was conducted between August and October 2005. A random sample of households within the University of Maiduguri community and Mairi Village,its immediate environment were surveyed using questionnaire and personal interviews to determine features of dog ecology relevant to the spread of rabies. The questionnaire was designed following the WHO guidelines. Results: Out of 60 households interviewed, 48 (80%) confirmed the presence of stray dogs in their surroundings while 12 (20%) did not. Dogs were owned by 34 (56%) households while 26(44%) did not own dogs. The most important reason for owning dog was for security/protection. Factors enhancing straying of dogs were inadequate feeding of dogs, poor restraint of dogs and irresponsible dog ownership. About 36.5% of dog owners did not vaccinate their dogs against rabies. Children were more in contact with dogs than adults. The dog to person ratio was 1:7.8. The total number of dog bite cases were 33 with 54.5% of the cases in Mairi and 45.4% in the university campus. Conclusion: Stray dogs abound in the University Campus and Mairi Village environment of the University of Maiduguri and pose health hazards including rabies to the communities. The University authority should without delay enforce rabies rules and regulations aimed at limiting the number of stray dogs in the campus and its environs. Workshops and educational campaigns should be organized to renew awareness among the public on the dangers posed by stray dogs and how to minimize them. Proper dog management reduces the risk of transmission of rabies to human and control of free-roaming and stray dogs should be part of the rabies control programme. Dog population studies should be extended to the entire Maiduguri metropolis for effective rabies prevention and control.

SM MA'AJI
Correspondence to: Dr SM Ma'aji, Department of Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background: This study was carried out to analyze the transabdominal ultrasonographic (TAUS) features of suspected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 96 consecutive patients between June 2005 through June 2006 at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital and Karaye Hospital, Sokoto. Methodology: Prospective analysis of Various sonographic features including prostate size, volume, architecture and vesicoprostatic interface,residual urine volume as well as back pressure changes on both urinary bladder and kidneys were analyzed. Result: The prostate sizes ranges between 40mm-135mm (mean 59mm, median = 57mm, SD = 12mm). While the smallest prostate volume was 45cm3 with the largest measuring 387cm3 (mean 128, median 128, SD = 68). Conclusion: Transabdominal ultrasound is a useful screening test for the evaluation of the prostate. In addition to the size and volume, the assessment of the kidney and the urinary bladder makes assessment of degree of benign prostatic obstruction more reliable.