The malignant lymphomas in Benin City, Nigeria

Forty-seven cases of adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between 1975 and 1987 have been analysed with respect to the presenting features, management and survival. There is a preponderance of males over females (4.4:1 for NHL and 9:1 for HD). NHL was commonly diagnosed in the 41-50 year age group and HD in the 21-30 year age bracket. Lymphadenopathy was observed in all patients at the time of presentation, mainly generalized (48.1%) in NHL and cervical (65%) in HD. The poorly differentiated lymphocytic (29.6%) and undifferentiated (22.2%) types of NHL and the mixed cellularity type (40%) of HD are the most frequent histopathological types. The COP regime was the most frequently used therapeutic regimen. The results of treatment were poor mainly because of late presentation, inadequate supply of drugs, the high default rate and relative lack of radiotherapeutic facilities.     

The acute leukaemias in adults in Benin City, Nigeria

Forty-three adult cases of acute leukaemia (AL) seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria in the 13-year period 1975-1987 have been analysed with respect to the presenting features, management and outcome. The percentage incidence of AML and ALL were 51.2 and 23.3 respectively. There is a preponderance of male patient (male:female ratio was 2.1:1, 2.3:1, 1.3:1, and 3:1 respectively for AML, ALL, BC and ALSCL). Most cases of AL occurred in the 21-30-year age bracket. Pallor (77.3%) is the commonest presenting feature in AML whereas night sweats and lymphadenopathy occurred in most cases of ALL (80%). The main causes of death are haemorrhage and infection. Treatment is generally inadequate and so the results of treatment are poor.     

Prevalence of lupus anticoagulant in multiparous women in Benin City,Nigeria

Lupus anticoagulant which in the past was regarded as a laboratory nuisance is now known to be associated with numerous clinical conditions including thrombosis and recurrent foetal loss, however, no work has been done to assess its prevalence in non-pregnant healthy multiparous women. Our aim therefore was to determine the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant in non-pregnant multiparous Nigerian women of childbearing age. Fifty non-pregnant multiparous women who were considered healthy following verbal interviews were studied. An eligibility criterion was used. Coagulation studies were performed on plasma samples from all the women using the Kaolin clotting time. Mixing experiments were conducted on samples with prolonged clotting time to detect the presence of the lupus anticoagulant. The Kaolin clotting time ratio of greater than or equal to 1.2 was considered positive for the lupus anticoagulant. Forty-four (88%) of the 50 women had a normal cloning time, 2(4%) had subnormal clotting time while 4(8%) of them had a prolonged Kaolin clotting time. Mixing experiments on these 4 samples revealed Kaolin clotting time ratios of over 1.2, signifying the presence of the lupus anticoagulant (i.e. 8 per cent prevalence) among the population of women studied Multiparous women with the lupus anticoagulant may not be symptomatic therefore the anticoagulant should be screened for in women with unexplained prolongation of cloning time. We recommend that these women should be followed up especially in pregnancy to forestall any of the obstetric complications that have been associated with the lupus anticoagulant.     

Problems of management of primary congenital glaucoma in Benin City, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES: To determine the problems encountered in the management of primary congenital glaucoma in developing countries. METHODS: A prospective study of new patients with a diagnosis of primary congenital glaucoma attending the eye clinic of the University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City, Nigeria over a 5 year period, from July 2001 to June 2006. The age, sex, presenting complaints and duration were recorded. They were examined by the aid of a pen torch, hand-held slit lamp and direct ophthalmoscope. Intraocular pressure and corneal diameter were measured under anaesthesia. The patients were followed up till June 2006 and the problems encountered in management were recorded. RESULTS: Eight children comprising 5 males (62.5%) and 3 females (37.5%) with primary congenital glaucoma were seen. All the patients (100%) presented with buphthalmos and 7 (87.5%) had corneal opacity. Four (50%) accepted surgery but only 2 (25%) eventually had surgery. Maximum follow-up was 7 months. CONCLUSION: Presentation with features of advanced disease, poor acceptability of surgery, poor follow-up and low surgical rate are problems associated with the management of congenital glaucoma in Benin City, Nigeria.     

Some malignant tumours in HIV -infected individuals in Benin City Nigeria

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to report the cases of some malignancies seen in Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) - positive patients seen at the UBTH between January 1999 and December 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients that presented to the medical and surgical units of the UBTH within the period of the study and who had histologically confirmed malignant conditions and also tested to HIV were included in the study. RESULTS: The male: female ratio of HIV-seropositivity within the period of study was 1:1.2. The highest incidence of HIV-seropositivity was in 2003 (65.1%). Of the patients that tested positive for HIV, Hodgkin's lymphoma was the commonest form of malignancy while leukaemia was the least common. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Kaposi's sarcoma is not now so common in HIV-positive patients as previously reported by other studies, while Hodgkin's lymphoma has become rather more prevalent.