SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF TESTICULAR VOLUME IN NEONATES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: The testes are responsible for the production of spermatozoa and testosterone in man. Reliable and accurate determination of testicular volume is of great potential benefit in evaluation of patients with a variety of disorders affecting testicular growth, development and function. Ultrasonography (USS) provides a good and reliable tool for determining testicular volume when objective, accurate and reproducible measurements are required. This can be done in an easy and patient friendly manner. USS is readily available, cheap and does not involve the use of ionizing radiation; hence its suitability in neonates. AIM: To determine the normal value for mean testicular volume in neonates using ultrasonography and to correlate testicular volume with weight, gestational age, and length as well as body mass index, so as to have a baseline reference value which will aid in prompt identification of neonates with testicular abnormalities for further evaluation and timely intervention. DESIGN OF THE STUDY: A multi-centre prospective cohort study. STUDY SETTING: Radiology Departments of the University College Hospital, Adeoyo General Hospital and Eleta Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 411 healthy male neonates had testicular ultrasound performed in the labor wards and post natal wards of the University College Hospital, Adeoyo General Hospital and Eleta Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Testicular mean volume was obtained using the Lambert formula (length x width x height x 0.71). The statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 17.0 was used to analyze the data obtained. RESULTS: The mean left testicular volume in this study was 0.276cm3± 0.08924 while the mean right testicular volume was 0.278cm3±0.09233. The overall mean testicular volume in neonate was 0.28±0.09cm3 with no significant difference between the right and the left testes (p=0.000). There is a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between testicular volume and the birth weight, height, and body mass index but no correlation between the testicular volume and the gestational age at delivery. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the mean testicular volume was 0.28± 0.09ml with no significant difference between the right and the left testes. There was a positive correlation between the birth weight, height and the body mass index and the volume of the right and the left testes but no correlation between the testicular volume and the gestational age of the neonates.

Stroke lesions and post-stroke depression among survivors in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the association between the neuro-radiological characteristics of stroke lesions and post-stroke major depression among survivors in Ibadan, Nigeria. This is in the background of a paucity of information on the clinico-pathological correlation of post-stroke emotional responses among African Survivors. METHOD: We studied 30 stroke survivors receiving physiotherapy. The radiological characteristics of the stroke lesions were documented using computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans in the acute phase of the stroke. While the presence of major depressive disorder meeting criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was assessed using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), between 3 months and 2 years after. The association between lesion characteristics and depression was explored using logistic regression analysis. RESULT: Nine (30.0%) stroke survivors met criteria for major depressive disorder. There were significant differences in their gender. The differences in the lesion types approached the set level of significance in survivors with or without major depressive disorder. There were however no differences when considering hemispheric lateralization or intra-hemispheric lesion location. Being female, but not the lesion characteristics was strongly associated with post-stroke major depressive disorder CONCLUSION: Lesion characteristics documented in the acute phase of stroke could not predict the occurrence of major depressive disorder during rehabilitation in this sample. The occurrence of depression among stroke survivors may ultimately be determined by a combination of factors.

Intrauterine fetal death of one of twins, coexisting with hydranencephaly in the surviving co-twin: a case report.

Hydranencephaly, a relatively rare malformation of the brain, is characterised by absence of the cerebral hemispheres and their replacement by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid. It is one of the recognised forms of intracranial malformations associated with intrauterine fetal demise of one of twins in monochorionic twin gestation. This report illustrates the development of hydranencephaly in a surviving twin sequel to intrauterine fetal demise of the co-twin.

Choledochal cysts in African infants: a report of 3 cases and a review of the literature.

Choledochal cysts are relatively rare and are an uncommon cause of cholestasis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent complications such as cholangitis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This article reviews a rarely reported disease in Africans in whom only 3 cases were documented over the 18 year period in Nigeria. The 3 cases were all females with ages between less than a month and 13 months at presentation. All presented with abdominal swelling with or without jaundice or acholic stools. The use of real-time ultrasonography antenatally and postnatally aided the diagnosis in our patients. Two of the patients presented and were operated and both made full recovery confirming the importance of early surgical intervention. The third patient died, and exemplified the consequences of delayed diagnosis and treatment which occur not uncommonly in developing countries mostly because of sparse and or expensive tertiary health care facilities.