RESUMO
Background Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is a major burden in trauma care worldwide. Most victims are young, and the injury results in economic loss and psychological and social burden on the individual and the society. The outcome depends on the severity of primary spinal cord injury, interventions to prevent secondary insults to the damaged cord, and access to a specialized care. The lack of standard prehospital care and dedicated facilities for spine care coupled with challenges of inadequate health insurance coverage impact negatively on the outcome of care in patients with spinal cord injury in our practice. Objectives This study was performed to determine the clinical profile of patients with TSCI and to highlight the factors that determine the early outcome in a resource-constrained trauma center. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective review of trauma registry and medical records of all the patients with acute TSCI at the National Trauma Center Abuja from September 2014 to December 2016. Results A total of 133 patients with TSCI were studied. Most of these patients were young men with a mean age of 36 years. Most injury (72.2%) occurred following motor vehicular crash affecting mainly the cervical spinal cord (62.0%). None of the patients received standard prehospital care. Only 41.4% of the patients were transported to the hospital in an ambulance. About half (52.6%) of the patients suffered complete spinal cord injury (the American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] A), and pressure ulcer was the most common complication (23.3%). Only 42% of the patients that needed surgical intervention were operated, mainly due to the inability to pay for the service. The ASIA grade on admission was the most significant determinant factor of morbidity and mortality. Conclusion Optimal care of patients with TSCI was hindered by inadequate facilities and economic constraints.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a leading cause of disability among children worldwide. The outcome depends on morphology and whether insult is pre- or post-natal. There has been improvement in morbidity in developed countries due to improved surgical care. A paucity of trained personnel impacts negatively on care and outcome of infants with hydrocephalus in many low-income countries resulting poorer outcome. We conducted an audit of patients with hydrocephalus managed in our institution to determine common etiology and outcome. OBJECT: The objective of this retrospective review was to conduct an audit of hydrocephalus care in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was retrieved from case notes, ward records, imaging results, operation notes, and follow-up clinic charts. Type of hydrocephalus, onset, treatment offered, outcome, complications, and follow-up duration were documented. RESULTS: Management of 58 infants with complete data was analyzed. Most hydrocephalus 40 (69%) were congenital with 14 (35%) occurring in association with myelomeningocele and 8 patients confirmed with aqueductal stenosis. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts insertion 53 (91%) was the most common treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: There is need to improve surgical intervention in the form of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in suitable patients. Subsiding cost of care may be considered for indigent patients.
RESUMO
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a heterogeneous autosomal dominant disease with an incidence ranging from 1 in 2500 to 1 in 3000. Rare intrathoracic vascular disorders resulting in massive spontaneous hemothorax with fatal consequences may occur in these patients, so also are various types of skeletal dysplasia which may result in dramatic presentations, posing management challenges to the attending physicians. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with NF-1 who developed spontaneous massive hemothorax and was discovered to have a concurrent giant intrathoracic meningocele and thoracic kyphoscoliosis with severe vertebral dysplastic changes. Surgical treatment via a right thoracotomy with primary repair of the meningocele and spinal fusion with fibula graft resulted in good outcome. This case represents an extreme manifestation of this otherwise indolent disease in clinical practice.
