Sphenoid Sinus Pneumatization, Septation, and the Internal Carotid Artery: A Computed Tomography Study.

BACKGROUND: The air spaces of the nasal cavity and the sphenoid sinus (SS) constitute a convenient corridor to access lesions of the skull base using the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA). Safe EETA depends on the SS and skull base anatomy of the patient. Individual variations exist in the degree and pattern of SS pneumatization. This study aims to examine the variations in SS pneumatization, the inter-sphenoid septum (ISS), and their relationship with the internal carotid artery (ICA) among adult Nigerians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed computerized tomography (CT) images of 320 adult patients that had imaging for various indications. This excluded those with traumatic, inflammatory, or neoplastic process that may alter anatomical landmarks. The images were evaluated for the types of SS pneumatization, number and insertion of ISS, and the protrusion of ICA into the sinus cavity. RESULTS: Prevalence of SS pneumatization types: 1.9% conchal, 1.2% presellar, 56.6% sellar, and 40.2% postsellar. The lateral extension of SS occurred into the pterygoid in 138 patients (45.1%), greater wing 112 (35%), lesser wing 37 (11.6%), the full lateral type was seen in 97 (30.3%) patients. One ISS occurred in 150 (46.9%) patients, 162 (50.6%) had multiple, and 8 (2.5%) had none. ISS insertion into ICA bony covering occurred in 101 (31.6%) patients, whereas protrusion of ICA into SS cavity occurred in 110 (34.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Variations of the SS, ISS, and ICA anatomy are present among native Africans. Detailed imaging evaluation of each patient is considered for EETA is mandatory.

Relationship between Refraction, Anthropometrics, and Educational Status in a Nigerian Young Adult Population.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at determining the relationship between refraction and anthropometric measurements and the relationship between the level of education and refractive status in a Nigerian young adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy volunteers from the students and staff of a teaching hospital in South-Western Nigeria were studied. Demographic profiles including participants' highest educational status, parental educational level, and the age at first formal school enrollment were documented. The height and weight of the participants were measured. Noncycloplegic objective refraction was determined with autorefractor, and the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of the right eye was used for analysis. SPSS 16 was used to explore the relationships between refraction, height, weight, and body mass index and the educational status of the participants. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-nine adults with a mean age of 28.4 ± 6.5 years comprising 116 males and 123 females were studied. The mean height, weight, body mass index, and right eye SER were 1.7 ± 0.1 m, 64.4 ± 12.2 kg, 23.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2, and -0.8 ± 1.4 D, respectively. Height was negatively correlated with the SER (R = -0.3, P < 0.01) in males but not in females. Refraction was not significantly related to weight or body mass index. Participants with higher levels of education were more likely to be myopic. Higher parental education and early formal school enrollment were significantly associated with myopia. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant positive relationship between height and myopia in male participants but not in females. Individual as well as parental higher levels of education have also shown a positive association with myopic tendency.

Intestinal helminthiases and their control with albendazole among primary schoolchildren in riverine communities of Ondo State, Nigeria.

A study to establish the prevalence of intestinal helminthiases among schoolchildren of riverine communities in the Ilaje-Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria was conducted. Ninety-four percent of the children studied were infected with intestinal helminths. Trichuris trichiura infection was the commonest (84%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (75.3 %) and hookworm (7.6 %). Dual helminthic infections were recorded, with Ascaris-Trichuris having the highest prevalence among the children. Poor environmental sanitation and personal hygiene combined with the absence of potable water and a lack of awareness of the effects of nematode infection were identified as the possible reasons for the high rate of infection. Treatment with albendazole (200 mg) brought about reductions in the level of Trichuris trichiura (to 41.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (to 4.2%) and Hookworm (to 0.7%). The estimated rates of reduction were 94.4%, 49.7%, and 90.2% for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm respectively. Post-treatment helminthic reduction, as found in this study, is expected to enhance the mental and physical development of the children. Community mobilization with health education messages aimed at improving personal and community hygiene was initiated with an emphasis on creating a sustained reduction in the burden of helminthic infection.

Induced immunity to Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis in albino mice by antigenic mice organs.

Antigenic materials prepared from parasite infected and non-infected tissue (blood), organs (spleen, liver, lung) and whole mouse burnt with or without Aframomum melegmeta (Alligator Pepper) were tested whether they could elicit immune response to Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis in albino mice. This investigation is in line with the practice of traditional medicine in the western part of Nigeria where burnt herbal preparation are introduced into patient through body cuts known as "Gbere" for protection and therapy against infection. Results from the study unexpectedly showed that immune response was elicited against malaria parasite by the uninfected antigenic material prepared from spleen and whole mouse. Aframomum melegmeta on its own lysed the red blood cells and played a doubtful role in inducing immunity.

Malaria and HIV co-infection and their effect on haemoglobin levels from three health-care institutions in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are two major infections with enormous public health consequence. Together, they are endemic in many developing countries with anaemia being the most frequent haematological consequence of the infections. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV co-infection as well as anaemia among selected patients from three health-care institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1080 patients was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV co-infection as well as anaemia. Blood sera from each of the patients were screened for malaria parasites, HIV-1 and HIV-2 using Giemsa stain, Cambridge Biotech Recombigen HIV-1/HIV-2 rapid device, respectively while haemoglobin estimation was performed using cyanmethemoglobin method. RESULTS: Our data showed that the total number of malaria infected patients were significantly higher in HIV sero-positive patients 47.7% (31/65) when compared with their HIV sero-negative counterparts 25.8% (262/1015) P = 0.047. The result also revealed that 25.8% (8/31) of the patients co-infected with malaria and HIV had anaemia as compared to 11.1% (29/262) infected with malaria alone. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that patients with dual infection of malaria and HIV were twice likely to be anaemic than those infected with malaria alone [adjusted OR 2.4, 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.7, P = 0.014]. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated a higher prevalence of malaria in HIV infected patients and also revealed that patients co-infected with malaria and HIV were more likely to be anaemic.

Relationship between refraction, anthropometrics, and educational status in a Nigerian young adult population

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a correlation between reading problems and binocular function, but few studies have assessed visual skills in dyslexic students, particularly in Iranian Farsi-language students. This study is aimed to determine some of the binocular functions of dyslexic children and compare it with a group of age, sex, and social class-matched control children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a case­control study on 27 dyslexic children and 40 age, sex, and social class-matched control children (all between 7 and 13 years old) in grades one to six. This study was performed at three elementary schools in Tehran, Iran. Monocular and binocular near point of accommodation (NPA) were measured using the subjective push-up method, near point of convergence (NPC) was determined using the standard push-up technique, and stereoacuity was tested with the Titmus stereotypes in all of the children. RESULTS: Mean NPA of the right eye was 6.90 cm in dyslexic group and 5.98 cm in the control group (P = 0. 003). Mean NPA of the left eye in dyslexic children was 7.32 cm and in the control group was 6.23 cm (P = 0. 003). Mean binocular NPA was 6.66 cm in dyslexic and 6 cm in the control group (P = 0. 049). However, mean NPC (P = 0.33) and mean stereoacuity (P = 0.785) did not differ significantly between the dyslexic and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed a reduced monocular and binocular NPA in dyslexic children so that this function should be assessed by an optometric clinician in children with dyslexia

Prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhoea in secondary amenorrhoea.

Using Commercial R.I.A. Kits, plasma prolactin levels have been assayed in 41 Nigerian women with secondary amenorrhoea and in 10 normal ovulating women. The prolactin levels were 34.5 +/- 28.9 ng/ml and 14 +/- 6.8 ng/ml respectively; these prolactin levels differed significantly (p less than 0.001). Fifteen amenorrhoeic women had prolactin levels exceeding 28 ng/ml while no normal women had such prolactin levels. The highest prolactin levels, greater than 100 ng/ml were in the two patients with pituitary tumours. The relative frequency of galactorrhoea in patients with secondary amenorrhoea was 19.5%. The results of this study are comparable with those obtained in Caucasians.