INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION FROM MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM IN AN ADULT; UNSUSPECTED BUT FOUND- A CASE REPORT.

Introduction: Most cases of Meckel's Diverticulum (MD) are asymptomatic and when symptomatic, preoperative diagnosis of MD maybe a dilemma. Intestinal obstruction is a major complication in the adult population. Case presentation: We report a case of a 24-year-old female presenting with intestinal obstruction from Meckels Diverticulum. Conclusion: MD is largely asymptomatic in adults, however may be present and should be included in our array of differential diagnoses.

A RARE METACHRONOUS COLONIC VOLVULUS.

Introduction: Colonic volvulus is a common cause of large bowel obstruction with the sigmoid colon most commonly affected. Volvulus of the transverse colon is an uncommon occurrence. Rarer still is a transverse colon volvulus developing after surgery for a sigmoid colon volvulus. Early diagnosis is critical as delay in detection and intervention is associated with the risk of complications - perforation, peritonitis, and death. Case presentation: We report the case of an 86-year-old man who presented with features of large bowel obstruction 14 months following a sigmoid colectomy for a sigmoid colon volvulus. Conclusion: A metachronous transverse colonic volvulus is uncommon. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging as there are no defining radiographic features compared to the volvulus of the sigmoid colon with the classical omega sign. Most cases are diagnosed intra-operatively. Bowel resection and anastomosis in a single stage is a safe option.

VOLUMETRIC CLASSIFICATION OF INGUINOSCROTAL SWELLINGS.

Background: External hernias and scrotal swellings are diverse in presentation and are described in many subjective ways. Aim: To create an objective classification of inguinoscrotal swellings in the rural setting. Patients and methods: It was a prospective study on the measurement of inguinoscrotal swellings volume/contents in a cohort of surgical patients in a provincial general hospital in the north of Sierra Leone over a three-year period. For inguinal hernias and other scrotal swellings, the volume ranges of 0- 500ml were used in the classification; for femoral and other external hernias which generally do not reach 'huge' sizes, the volume ranges of 0-100 ml were used. Results: A total of 962 external hernias and hydroceles were classified over a 3- year period. Most, 610 (63.4%) were inguino-scrotal hernias, others were hydroceles, 303 (31.0%) and femoral hernias, 42 (4.3%). The remaining small number consisted of umbilical (4) and epigastric (3) hernias. For the common conditions of hydroceles, inguinal and femoral hernias, about 50% were 'small', more than 40% were 'large', the rest were giant. The same findings were true for epigastric and umbilical hernias. Conclusion: Using the scale that we adopted, majority of the groin hernias and hydroceles were in the small and large categories with a few giant varieties. Volumetric-based classification of hernias and hydroceles can help surgeons communicate more clearly based on standard rather than arbitrary ascription of descriptive terminologies to these very common surgical entities.

Serosurvey on Sheep Unravel Circulation of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Nigeria.

Rift Valley fever is an arboviral zoonoses causing severe morbidity and mortality among humans and animals in many African countries. A cross-sectional study in populations of sheep reared around the Gidan-Waya Forest Reserve located in Jema'a LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria to determine the serological evidence of exposure to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 200 sheep sampled, 9 (4.5%; 95 CI 2.23-8.33) were positive for antibodies to the RVFV. The detection of antibodies suggests a covert circulation among the sheep and may be indicative of a subclinical infection.