Evaluation of Serum and Salivary IgG in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Aims: To evaluate salivary and serum IgG levels in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and healthy control subjects and to assess the effect of treatment on IgG levels. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral Pathology and Department of Radiotherapy, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between January 2010 and December 2010. Methodology: Seventy eight subjects comprising 30 patients with untreated HNSCC, 18 patients with HNSCC receiving treatment and 30 healthy, age and gender-matched individuals were included. Serum and salivary samples from the participants were analysed for total IgG using ELISA technique. Results: The mean serum IgG in untreated and treated HNSCC patients was significantly lower compared with healthy controls (P=.001), while mean salivary IgG was significantly elevated (P=.001) in untreated HNSCC patients compared with treated and healthy controls. There was no significant correlation between serum and salivary IgG levels. Conclusion: In patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, serum IgG was reduced while salivary IgG was elevated compared with healthy controls. Our finding suggests differential roles of immunoglobulin G in serum and saliva of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Hence, salivary IgG may be a useful biomarker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, while serum IgG levels may be useful in monitoring treatment in these individuals.

Paediatric head and neck cancers in Nigeria: implications for treatment planning in resource limited settings

Background: The head and neck (H/N) is a common site for childhood cancers. This study examined all cases of H/N childhood cancers diagnosed in a major teaching hospital in Nigeria over 18 years to determine patterns of broad lineage cancer groups. Materials and Methods: Primary pediatric childhood malignancies diagnosed between 1990 and 2008 were analysed. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine significant clinical correlates of childhood cancer. Results: Lymphomas were the commonest cancers (49.5). After controlling for site and age; there was no significant difference in the incidence of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) by sex ( P=0.423). The jaw bones (mandible and maxilla) were the commonest sites in the H/N for involvement of BL; with over 20 times the odds of occurrence when compared to other non-jaw sites of the H/N region (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=21.41; P0.001). Among the jaw bones; there was no significant difference in the occurrence of BL ( P

Surgical Anatomy of the Vertebrobasilar Territory and Posterior Circle of Willis

BACKGROUND: In the present era of microscopic and neuroendoscopic procedures; the surgical anatomy of the skull base vessels has gained increased significance. The pattern of the vertebrobasilar arterial complex and the posterior circle of Willis (COW) in Nigerians has not been previously reported despite various variants of these complexes existing in different populations. OBJECTIVE: To review and document the size; distribution and anomalies of the vertebrobasilar territory and posterior COW pattern in a Nigerian set of brains. Methods: The target population for this study was a group of Nigerian adults 18 years and above. Specimens from patients with an ante-mortem or post-mortem evidence of meningitis or atherosclerosis were excluded. The size; distribution and anomalies of the vertebrobasilar artery; its branches; and the posterior COW were defined in 50 brains. RESULTS: The male: female ratio was 1.9:1 and a mean age of 44 years. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the sizes of posterior inferior cerebellar arteries and anterior inferior cerebellar arteries (Student's t = -30.189; p-value = 0.000). Fifty-six percent of the brains had no anomalies. Thirty anomalies were noted in posterior COW compared with six in the vertebrobasilar territory. There were no aneurysms in all the specimens studied. CONCLUSION: Anomalies in the region of the posterior COW are commoner than the vertebrobasilar territory and the region of the posterior communicating artery is the most common site of anomalies in the posterior COW territory. These variations should be taken into account during skull base and carotid surgeries; and cerebral angiography

Presentation of Colorectal Cancers in Benin-City; Nigeria

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide; and the prevalence in Nigeria appears to be increasing due to a shift to western diets. We undertook a retrospective analysis of colorectal cancers seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Benin City from January 1983 to December 2002. Methods: One hundred and two cases involving the large bowel were encountered. These were analysed for age; sex; site; histological type and clinical features. Results: The mean age was 44.5 +/-4.5 years. Males accounted for 56 (54.9) cases; while 46(45.1) were females. Seventy two (70.2) of the tumours were located in the rectum. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type; with 89 (87.2) cases. Fifty two (51) cases presented with intestinal obstruction. Conclusions: Conclusion; colorectal cancers are not rare in our environment as previously believed; though; the frequency in Benin City is relatively low

Anomalies, aneurysm and histology of the middle cerebral artery in Nigerian Africans

The histology of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in Nigerian Africans has not been previously studied. One hundred MCAs obtained at autopsy from fifty adult Nigerians were studied. The vessels were processed and stained with Ehrlich's haematoxylin and eosin, elastic Van Gieson and Masson's trichrome stains. Early branches were given off before the perforators in two middle cerebral arteries, and there was one accessory MCA, making an incidence of anomalies of 3 percent. No aneurysm was observed in any of the cases. The internal elastic laminas were well developed but the external elastic laminas of the vessels were poorly developed. Close to the bifurcations the tunica media tapered gradually and at the bifurcations, the tunica media was completely deficient being replaced by the tunica adventitia (Forbus raphé). The tunica adventitia was thicker at the bifurcations (0.21mm) compared to other sites of the vessel. The average thickness of the MCA tunica media at its origin was 0.12mm while that of the tunica adventitia was O.lOmm. These results are similar to what has been described in the literature for Caucasians. It buttresses the assertion that anatomical anomalies of the MCA are rare. The seemingly low frequency of MCA aneurysms in Nigerian Africans is not due to its anomalies or histology.

La histología de la arteria cerebral media (ACM) de los africanos de Nigeria no ha sido previamente estudiada. Fueron examinadas 100 ACM, obtenidas en autopsias de 50 individuos nigerianos adultos. Las arterias fueron procesadas y teñidas con hematoxilina y eosina de Ehrlich, Van Gieson para fibras elásticas y tricrómico de Masson. Ramas proximales se originan antes de la división en dos arterias cerebrales medias, y había una ACM accesoria, constituyendo una incidencia de anomalías del 3 por ciento. No se observó aneurisma en ninguno de los casos. La lámina elástica interna estaba bien desarrollada, pero la lámina elástica externa de los vasos estaba pobremente desarrollada. Cerca de la bifurcación la túnica media es gradualmente cónica, la túnica media es totalmente deficiente siendo sustituida por la túnica adventicia (Forbus raphé). La túnica adventicia es más gruesa en las bifurcaciones (0.21mm) en comparación con otros lugares del buque. El grosor medio de la túnica media de ACM en su origen fue 0.12mm mientras que el de la túnica adventicia de O.lOmm. Estos resultados son similares a los que han sido descritos en la literatura para Caucásicos. Es importante la afirmación que las anomalías anatómicas de la ACM son raras. La aparentemente baja frecuencia de los aneurismas de ACM en nigerianos africanos no es debido a sus anomalías o a la histología.

Diethylene glycol poisoning in Nigerian children

Clinical and pathological features in 23 children who developed acute renal failure from what was subsequently proven to be diethylene glycol poisoning are presented. Symptoms of cases included anuria; fever; diarrhoea and vomiting. Eighteen (78.3) had hepatomegaly; 11(47.8) had evidence of respiratory distress and 7 (30.4) had acidotic breathing. Seven (30.4) of the children were dehydrated on physical examination. Alteration in the level of consciousness was observed in 13 (56.5) children. The major biochemical abnormalities were acidosis and elevated blood urea nitrogen. Although serum bilirubin was normal in those in whom it was determined; the liver enzymes were elevated in the 2 patients in whom they were determined