Outcomes of traumatic brain injury patients with acute epidural and subdural hematoma who underwent burr hole surgery: A two-year study at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania.

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Africa. Craniotomy is the surgical standard for acute extra-axial hematomas that is not realistic in LMIC due to deficient human and operative resources. Burr hole surgery may be an alternative in resource-limited settings. This study aimed at determining outcomes and factors associated with burr hole surgery as definitive management of traumatic extra-axial hematomas. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients with acute traumatic extra-axial hematomas who underwent burr hole surgery. Data were extracted from the patient's medical records after confirmation of the surgery and CT scan findings. The data were entered to SPSS 25 for analysis where a bivariate analysis was done. Results: 156 participants were enrolled; 149 (95.5 %) were males. The mean age of the participants was 35.33 (SD 15.37) years. The mean arrival GCS was 11.76 ± 3.59. Most participants had mild, followed by severe then moderate (55.8 %, 24.4 %, and 19.9 % respectively) TBI. 118 (75.6 %) participants had good outcomes and the overall in-hospital mortality was 18.6 %. 109 (69.9 %) had epidural hematomas mostly (21 %) in the parietal lobe. 30 (19.2 %) had brain herniation syndromes. Poor outcomes were associated with age above 50 years, severe TBI, motor response <4, abnormal pupil size, other injuries, ICU admission, SDH, midline shift >10 mm, cerebral edema, and brain herniation syndromes. Surgical site infection and hemostasis by packing were associated with a long length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Burr hole surgery is still a safe, effective, and simple life-saving procedure in patients with acute hematomas in resource-constrained areas.

Traumatic left common carotid artery thrombosis with ischemic brain injury: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) are common and are associated with arterial injuries in 10-25 % of the cases, with carotid artery twice as frequent as to vertebral arteries. Carotid artery injury constitutes about 22 % of all cervical vascular injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 44-year-old male who sustained penetrating neck injury in a motor traffic crash. He presented with monoplegia of his right upper limb and an open wound on the left side of his neck which was not actively bleeding hence surgical debridement was done and sutured. CT angiography and CT-scan brain concluded of left common carotid thrombosis secondary to penetrating neck trauma with ischemic brain injury. Patient was successfully managed conservatively. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The general mortality rate in PNI with associated cervical vascular injury is approximately 66 %. Artery dissection occurs when the intima tears causing intramural hematoma leading to narrowing or occlusion. CT angiography is the best and fastest modality to assess these injuries and management depends on the clinical bases of the patient. CONCLUSION: Neck is vulnerable to external trauma because it is not protected by the skeleton. The neck contains vital structures such as the trachea, esophagus, blood vessels and nervous system organs. Vascular injuries can be life-threatening owing to its prompt clinical assessment and investigation.

Pattern, Management, and Outcomes of Chest Injury At Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre.

Background: Chest trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the region. Lacking data in our environment has been a challenging part of knowing the burden of the problem. Long hospital stays and associated injuries are an essential measure of morbidity. The study results will provide a basis for planning prevention strategies and establishment of treatment protocols. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, pattern, and management outcomes of chest injury patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC), a Tertiary Hospital in Northern zone Tanzania from October 2021 to April 2022. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with chest injuries who were admitted and managed at Tertiary Hospital Northern Zone (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center-KCMC) in the Emergency medicine and General Surgery departments. Using a designated data collection tool, details of the mechanism of injury, radiological and laboratory investigations, management, and outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 114 chest injury patients were studied. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 7.14:1. Their ages ranged from 2 to 83 years (mean = 36.18 years). The Majority of patients (95.58%) sustained blunt injuries. Road traffic crush was the most common cause of injuries affecting 65.79% of patients. Lung contusion, hemothorax, and rib fractures were the most common type of injuries accounting for 54.4%, 27.2%, and 21.1%, respectively. Associated injuries were noted in 85.7% of patients, and head injury (60.5%) was found in most patients. The Majority of patients (60.5%) were treated successfully with a non-operative approach. Underwater seal drainage was performed at (38.9%). One Patient (0.9%) underwent a thoracotomy. 14% of patients had complications of surgical site infection, and 69% were found in the Majority of patients. The median length of hospital stay was 4.5 days. The mortality rate was 21. Conclusion: Motor traffic crash was the principal cause of chest trauma. Young male patients were most affected by chest trauma and the majority of patients were treated conservatively. Chest X-ray remains to be the main imaging modality for diagnosing thoracic trauma lesions. Associated injuries such as head injuries, were found to contribute to a high mortality rate.

Invasive breast carcinoma of no special type with medullary pattern: A case report at a tertiary facility in Tanzania.

Key Clinical Message: Describes a rare form of invasive breast cancer of no special type.Not a distinct morphological subtype.Characterized by dense lymphoid infiltrate, syncytial growth, pushing borders, and cells with high-grade nuclei.Clinically aggressive but carries a better prognosis than other more frequent invasive breast carcinomas. Abstract: Invasive breast carcinoma of no special type with medullary pattern (BCNST-MP) is a rare form of breast tumor, accounting for less than 5% of all invasive breast carcinomas. Its diagnosis is based on histologic criteria. Historically, this tumor was known as medullary carcinoma. Poor morphological reproducibility led to re-classification. Despite having an aggressive biological behavior, these tumors usually carry a better prognosis compared with other more frequent forms of invasive breast carcinomas. Herein, we present a case of BCNST-MP in a 58-year-old African female, successfully treated in our institution through chemo-radiation, hormonal therapy and surgery.

Chest tube thoracostomy: A simple life-saving procedure with potential hazardous risks.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Chest tube thoracostomy is a simple life-saving procedure with many benefits but comes with significant potential morbidity. Potentially all intra-thoracic organs are at risk of possible injury as well as peritoneal. CASE PRESENTATION: We present four patients who had chest tube thoracostomy with potential complications fortunately were managed promptly and recovered fully. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Complications related to tube thoracostomy is reported up to 25 % especially when done under emergency conditions. While the procedure is reported safe, it's associated morbidity is not well described. Additionally, clinicians are urged to follow standard operating procedures and address the potential complications with consent to their patients. CONCLUSION: Chest tube thoracostomy is an invasive life-saving procedure performed across various clinical ranks and sub-specialties. It has potential life-threatening risks and complications therefore clinicians should be well trained to identify such complications and address accordingly.

Ocular, scrotal and abdominal trauma in a secondary blast injury.

Blast injuries are subjected to high morbidity and mortality in the general population. They cognate to single or multiple organ-related injuries that may be life-threatening. The unique injury patterns of blast injuries make treatment therapy complex. An adult male patient presented to our setting with multiple severe deep burn wounds resulting from a dynamite explosion. His computed tomography (CT) scan revealed numerous sharp shards around his body and a ruptured hemiscrotum with exposed testicles. Surgery was immediately done and with a good post-operative outcome. The severity of these injuries escalates in relation to the proximity of the explosions. A CT scan is an imperative diagnostic imaging modality. Treatment involves resuscitation, optimization, excision of non-viable tissues and damage control surgery. Delays in management may have detrimental consequences. Therefore, for physicians to manage the diverse injury manifestations that these patients may present with, they must grasp the pathophysiological patterns of blast injuries.

Midgut Atresia: Diagnostic and Management Challenges From Northern Tanzania.

Intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies in the neonatal period. Early diagnosis is vital for proper management and good outcome. Intestinal obstruction can be divided into high, for example, duodenal atresia and jejunal atresia, or low, for example, ileal atresia, colonic atresia, and Meckel's diverticulum. The most common cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates is midgut atresia. Surgical correction is needed and is a challenge in the developing countries where there is lack of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensive care. More research and data is also needed across countries to show the uneven distribution of the available resources.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia with Gastric Volvulus and Splenic Herniation: An Unusual Delayed Presentation in a Six-Month Child.

Background: Acute gastric volvulus associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon disorder in infancy and a surgical emergency. Methods: We present a six-month female baby who presented with clinical features of intestinal obstruction. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed gastric volvulus. The baby underwent emergency laparotomy. Gastric volvulus with splenic herniation was encountered through a diaphragmatic hernia. Results: The defect was corrected, the stomach and spleen were mobilized into the normal anatomical position. The baby recovered well. Conclusion: A high index of clinical suspicion and thorough radiological assessments are necessary for this life-threatening condition along with surgical correction of the abnormalities.

Acute pancreatitis in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report from Tanzania.

The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has mainly affected the respiratory system but has expanded to other systems, including the gastrointestinal system. We present an 80-year-old man with sharp epigastric pain and vomiting. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated pancreatic enzymes, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen suggested acute pancreatitis. He was undergoing treatment for acute pancreatitis when he developed respiratory compromise, leading to the use of oxygen. Computed tomography of the chest revealed bilateral pleural effusion. However, a positive nasopharyngeal swab suggested severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. He was treated for the viral infection with various medications until clinically stable before being self-isolated at home. His follow-up visits revealed a favorable outcome, with progressive resolve occurring 4 weeks after the onset. There is no specific conclusion regarding pancreatic involvement in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. There are several confounding factors in the etiology of acute pancreatitis during concomitant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. However, further research is warranted to evaluate whether pancreatic involvement is one of the clinical presentations or subsequent complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Potential Spectrum of Accompanied Penetrating Abdominal Intraperitoneal Injuries with Bowel Evisceration: Surprises Awaiting the Trauma Surgeon in Resource Limited Settings.

Penetrating abdominal injuries involves violation of the peritoneal cavity and injuries to solid organs and other intraperitoneal viscera such as major blood vessels and hollow organs. Typically such injuries arise from gunshot wounds or stab wounds. With increase in crime rates and motor traffic accidents in urban areas, the trauma surgeon in civilian urban centers faces spectrum of injuries similar to his colleague in war torn areas. Potential spectrum of penetrating abdominal injuries is wide and accurate diagnosis in resource limited centers is challenging. Majority of injuries are concealed and diagnosed intraoperatively and dealt with relatively junior trauma surgeons in emergency settings in remote limited settings. Computed tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facilities are scarce in resource limited settings. Haemodynamic states of penetrating abdominal injuries patients presenting in emergency departments necessitate urgent surgical exploration and management with minimal room for full radiological work-up. Evisceration of bowels with unstable haemodynamic states mandate laparotomy due to wide spectrum of accompanied intraperitoneal injuries. Four cases of penetrating abdominal injuries are presented with modes of assault ranging from gunshot injuries to stab wounds with broken bottles to highlight the intra-abdominal spectrum of injuries, challenges in diagnosis and emergency managements done in a resource limited setting.

Late presentation of midgut malrotation in a young adult.

Midgut malrotation is a congenital anomaly due to partial or complete failure of rotation of the midgut in fetal life. Majority of the cases present in the neonatal period and 90% within the first year. Adult presentation is rare and the true incidence is unknown as some cases pass undiagnosed. Whirlpool sign is pathognomic for midgut malrotation and management involves surgery.

Cross-leg flap in a burn patient: our experience from a tertiary center from Northern Tanzania.

Lower limb trauma with significant tissue loss poses a great challenge to the surgeons. Cross-leg flaps were first described in 1854 and are still used for limb-salvage surgeries in those not suitable for free tissue transfer or in resource-limited settings. Herein we present a case of a 16-year-old girl, otherwise well, who sustained burn injury to her right leg while cooking exposing the anterior aspect of her tibia. Limb-salvage surgeries were done including cross-leg 'fascio-cutaneous' flap with positive outcome. Herein, we share our experience showing an impactful and reliable option for limb salvage in resource-limited setting.

A stubborn nasogastric tube: self-knotting of a nasogastric tube.

Nasogastric tubes (NGT) are widely used and generally harmless as such, complications are uncommon. NGT knotting is one such complication. We report a 45-month-old female with spontaneously knotted NGT that was identified and safely removed without complications. NGT knotting detection needs a high index of suspicion; if not detected and managed in a proper way, it may lead to severe complications. We discuss this case to raise awareness of this complication and how to minimize the likelihood of it happening and improve patient outcome.

Chylous ascites and pancreatic pseudocyst on a child following blunt abdominal trauma; a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Chylous ascites is the collection of milky-like fluid rich in triglycerides within the peritoneal cavity. It results from disruption of normal intestinal lymphatic flow. It is caused mainly by congenital anomalies, trauma, and malignancy. Chylous ascites following blunt abdominal injury is uncommon in pediatrics. Chyle duct and pancreatic injuries present a rare clinical sequela yet to be reported in the literature. Conservative management is the mainstay of treating chyle duct injuries, reserving invasive measures for unique circumstances. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of an eleven-year-old female who suffered blunt thoracoabdominal trauma and sustained injuries to the chest, pancreas, and chyle duct. She had clinical signs of peritonism and decreased air entry on the right hemithorax. While she underwent abdominal exploration, the chylous ascites eventually resolved on conservative management, and the pancreatic pseudocyst was later drained percutaneously. DISCUSSION: Chylous ascites and pancreatic pseudocyst is uncommon in pediatrics. While surgery is indicated in selected cases, a conservative approach is advocated in managing lymphatic leaks. Diet with low triglycerides and high protein is advocated to decrease lymph production. Treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst varies from conservative (watchful waiting) to drainage measures. CONCLUSION: Although chylous ascites is not expected following trauma, has to be considered among differential free peritoneal fluid. Pancreatic injuries are common but difficult to diagnose. CT and MRCP are preferred modalities for diagnosing pancreatic injuries. While dietary modification and drainage of the chylous ascites were the mainstays in managing chyle duct injury, pancreatic pseudocyst resolved after percutaneous drainage.

Case series of inguinal pedicle-flap to cover hand ulcers: Our experience from northern Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap is a widely used and acceptable option of free tissue transfer for small and large defects due to its ease of dissection and adjustable pedicle length. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we present our experience with two similar cases of hand ulcers with differing aetiologies that were managed successfully at our tertiary centre by general surgeons to cover the defects in order to salvage the hand. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The pedicle groin flap was first described in 1972 and still indicated and used widely in hand resurfacing. It has shown to be reliable with minimal peri-operative complications. CONCLUSION: Groin flap donor skin provides adequate skin for coverage with versatile skin, but come at a cost of specialize expertise, resources and risks.

Jejunoileal Atresia in a Newborn: Our Experience From Northern Tanzania and Literature Review.

Jenunoileal atresia is a congenital defect that causes small bowel obstruction in newborns. They are classified into 5 types and simple abdominal x-ray can aid in the diagnosis and with prompt resuscitation and surgery provides positive outcome. We present a 5-day-old newborn male baby was presented with features of intestinal obstruction since birth. Diagnosis of atresia of the small bowel was made through plain abdominal x-ray and was successfully operated. During the recovery, the baby developed surgical site infection which was managed promptly.

Bilateral chylothorax following neck dissection on a child-Diagnosis and management in resource-limited settings: a case report.

Bilateral chylothorax is a rare complication following neck dissection, with fewer than thirty cases being reported over the last century. A serious life-threatening condition mostly encountered during thoracic procedures and dissections. In our case, conservative management resulted in complete resolution. We report a case of a 4-year-old child who underwent deep neck dissection due to recurrent hemangioma. She developed bilateral chylothorax and a conservative approach led to complete resolution.

Clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patients from Northern Tanzania: common aspects of late stage presentation and triple negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer among Tanzanian women. Oestrogen (ER), progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 play major roles in prognosis and treatment but data for Tanzania are sparse. This study aimed to determine these patterns and histological types, tumour grading and staging of BC patients in northern Tanzania for a better understanding of BC in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study recorded newly diagnosed BC cases at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre between October 2018 and March 2019. Receptor status, histological types and grade, clinical stage and socio-demographic were recorded and descriptive and bivariate analyses performed. RESULTS: 116 patients were enrolled. Median age was 53 years, 71.6% were ≥45 years. The commonest molecular subtype was triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (n = 33; 28.4%). One hundred and two (87.9%) patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), poorly differentiated tumours (60; 51.7%) and clinical stage III disease (62; 53.0%). ER negative tumours were associated with poorly differentiated histological grade (relative risk (RR): 1.34 (0.87-2.07)), tumour size > 5 cm (RR: 1.67 (0.33-8.35)) and IDC (RR: 3.35 (0.56-20.23)). Clinical stages III & IV (odds ratio (OR): 1.64 (0.63-4.24)) were associated with hormone receptor (HR) negative tumours and metastasis (OR: 1.60 (0.68-3.74)) with TNBC. 18% of the patients reported about first-degree relatives with BC. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients presented in advanced stages and TNBC in their menopause. HR negative tumours were associated with poor histological differentiation and IDC. The high percentage of positive family history of BC and the differences in receptor patterns compared to other parts of the world should urge further genetic research on BC in SSA.

Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and managed early. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old female (Chagga by tribe) presented with clinical features of intestinal obstruction 24 weeks into her second pregnancy. She had symptoms for one week. An emergency laparotomy was performed whereby gangrenous sigmoid volvulus was found; thus, it was resected and Hartmann's colostomy was raised. Unfortunately, she experienced intrauterine fetal death post-operatively. She was discharged clinically stable. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and management can prevent adverse effects such as bowel ischemia and preterm labor. Because classic clinical and radiological features may not be evident, high degree of suspicion is warranted.

Isolated gallbladder tuberculosis in an 84-year old man: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated gallbladder tuberculosis is extremely rare even in endemic regions posing diagnostic challenges as the presentation mimics other gallbladder diseases such as cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma. Preoperative suspicion index is negligible with most cases being diagnosed postoperatively from resected specimen. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report an elderly man who presented with jaundice, and was clinically diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma. DISCUSSION: Histopathology of resected gallbladder revealed gallbladder tuberculosis. No features of tuberculous infection were found elsewhere. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should have a high index of suspicion particularly for patients in endemic areas presenting with cholecystitis to obtain a pre-operative diagnosis.