Akinfenwa Taoheed Atanda

A histopathologic study of salivary gland tumors in Kano, northern Nigeria.

Significant differences in the global distribution of salivary gland tumors have been reported, but no formal study has been carried out here in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria. We therefore undertook this eight-year retrospective study of all histologically diagnosed salivary neoplasms at the histopathology laboratory of our referral teaching hospital in Kano. Seventy-eight salivary gland tumors were diagnosed during the eight-year study period accounting for 0.4% of all neoplasms. Benign tumors were more prevalent, comprising 56.4%, while malignancies were 43.6%. Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the commonest histological types constituting 48.7% and 23.1% respectively, while the most frequent sites were parotid, submandibular and minor salivary glands accounting for 49%, 26% and 24% respectively. As in most studies of black populations there were no adenolymphomas. Age distribution was bimodal with a benign peak in the third decade and a malignant peak in the sixth. Our findings were broadly similar to most other African reports but somewhat at variance with Western literature. Improved hospital attendance with more comprehensive reporting would yield more representative data.

Pathology of peripheral lymph node biopsies in Kano, Northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND Lymphadenopathy is a common clinical problem here in Kano, Northern Nigeria but there has been no formal study. We therefore undertook this review to evaluate the pattern in our locality. METHOD This is a seven-year (1998-2004) retrospective review of all histologically diagnosed lymph node biopsies received at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. RESULTS Cervical, axillary and inguinal nodes were the most frequently biopsied accounting for 46%, 23% and 13%, while tuberculosis, lymphomas and metastases were the most commonly diagnosed lesions comprising 30%, 24% and 19% respectively. In general, benign lesions were more common constituting 57% of nodal biopsies. Lymphadenopathy was observed to be most prevalent in the first three decades. CONCLUSION Our findings were broadly similar to most other Nigerian studies and slightly at variance with other African countries but significantly different from the Western World. The limitations of lymph node histopathology in the absence of modern molecular diagnostic techniques are highlighted.

Validity of fine needle aspiration cytology of the palpable breast lesions: A teaching hospital experience

Background and Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology has assumed a great importance in the pre-operative diagnosis of palpable breast lesions in several hospital and clinical settings worldwide. This study aims to audit its diagnostic utility and validity in a tertiary hospital, and to review some of the diagnostic pitfalls in interpretation of breast cytology. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of breast cytology reports and their subsequent tissue biopsy diagnoses recorded over a 5-year period from January 2008 to December 2012. Results: A total of 1162 breast cytology reports were made over the review period out of which 200 had histological confirmation. Out of the 200 cases, 109 (54.5%) were benign (C2), 20 (10.0%) cases were suspicious probably benign (C3), 27 (13.5%) cases were suspicious probably malignant (C4) and 44 (22.0%) were malignant (C5). The cytology reports were correlated with subsequent histological diagnoses. Of the 109 benign C2 reports, 99 were confirmed on tissue histology as truly benign (true negatives) and the remaining 10 cases were malignant (false negatives). Forty-three of the 44 malignant (C5) cytology reports initially made were confirmed as malignant on tissue histology (true positives). The remaining malignant (C5) cytology case was, however, revealed to be benign (false positive). The overall suspicious rate (C3 and C4) was 23.5%. The absolute sensitivity was 81.0%, specificity was 99.0%, positive predictive value (PPV) (C5) of 97.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) (C2) of 90.8%. The false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR) and suspicious rates (SR) were 1.2%, 12.0% and 23.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast has recorded high absolute sensitivity and specificity in our centre with a marginally high false positive rate. It has thus continued to have relevance as an important pre-operative diagnostic tool in the management of palpable breast lesions in our hospital.

Cutaneous schistosomiasis: Case report and literature review

Nigeria is one of the 74 countries endemic for schistosomiasis, with the most common species being schistosoma hematobium and bladder infestation with hematuria as the most common mode of presentation. However, rarely, extra-vesical ectopic sites such as the skin may be affected as it is in this case report of an 18-year-old male. Cutaneous schistosomiasis usually presents as crops of papular rashes with normal skin color on the trunk with or without pruritus and coexisting hematuria. These rare cases pose diagnostic challenges because of their unusual presentation and require high index of clinical suspicion for their identification. However diagnosis can be confirmed by histology of representative skin biopsy.

Wilms' tumour: Determinants of prognosis in an African setting

Background: The few studies available in the literature on Wilms′ tumour (WT) from sub-Saharan Africa have reported a dismal outcome for children with the tumour. This study evaluated the risk factors that have been correlated with outcome in the literature and compare these with outcome among our patients. Materials and Methods: Cases of histologically confirmed WT between 2009 and 2013 in a tertiary hospital in Northwestern Nigeria were evaluated for gender, age, laterality, symptoms, duration before presentation, stage at presentation, histologic subtype and p53 mutation. These were then correlated with outcome. Results: Totally, 30 cases of WT were diagnosed with mean age of 4.8 ± 1.9 years; and male:female ratio of 2:1. No statistically significant relationship with outcome was found for gender (P = 0.138) or histologic subtype (P = 0.671). The most significant variables which positively influenced the outcome were presentation at earlier stages (P = 0.007) and completion of therapy (P = 0.0007). p53 mutation was seen in 3 (16.7%) of 18 cases and was not associated with a poor outcome (P = 0.089). However, 2 of the 3 cases presented in Stage IV and none of them survived the 1 st year. Conclusion: This study shows that even though p53 mutation was associated with a more aggressive phenotype, the most significant determinants of a good outcome among patients in a developing country like ours is non-blastemal dominant histologic subtype, early stage at presentation and completion of therapy.

Prevalence, risk factors, and histological pattern of kidney disease in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital: A clinicopathologic study

Background: Renal disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection worldwide. Aim: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and histological pattern of kidney disease in HIV-positive patients in Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Four hundred consecutive treatment naοve HIV-positive patients with no other condition known to cause kidney disease were screened for proteinuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Kidney disease was defined as the presence of persistent microalbuminuria/proteinuria or decreased GFR (<60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 ). Kidney biopsy was performed on 20 patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: The mean ± standard deviation age of the study population was 34.03 ± 10.23 years with 240 (60%) being females. Kidney disease was found in 227 patients (56.8%), with a higher prevalence seen in males (odds ratio = 1.9305, 95% confidence interval = 1.2760-2.9207, P = 0.0018). Proteinuria including persistent microalbuminuria was found in 211 (52.8%) and reduced GFR was found in 64 (16.0%). The risk factors for developing kidney disease were age >40 years, male gender, low CD4 cell count, cigarette smoking, low body mass index, and low serum cholesterol. Logistic regression identified low CD4 cell count as an independent risk factor for kidney disease. Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the predominant histological pattern seen. Conclusion: The prevalence of renal disease in HIV-positive patients was high in Kano, Nigeria; and microalbuminuria was a manifestation of collapsing FSGS.

Out-patient percutaneous renal biopsy among children in Northern Nigeria: A single center experience

BACKGROUND The safety of percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) has been debated. The primary aim of this study was to review the procedure and secondary aim is to evaluate the safety of PRB in children in a developing nephrology unit in Northern Nigeria. METHODS Renal biopsies carried out in the renal unit of a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria between November 2011 and April 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. All biopsies were carried out electively and under real-time ultrasound guidance using an automatic spring-loaded biopsy gun. Risk factors for complications were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 24 biopsies were carried out in 20 children with nephrotic syndrome during the period under review. Mean age was 8.3 ΁ 3.0 years. Steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome was the most common indication for biopsy in 11 (55%) cases. Adequate tissue was obtained in 91.7%. Complications occurred in 2 (8.3%) cases. One required hospitalization with blood transfusion. Pre-biopsy hemoglobin concentration of <10 g/dL was found to be a significant predictor for the development of complications (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the in-patient biopsies and day case biopsies. CONCLUSIONS PRB can be safely carried out as an out-patient procedure in children. Low hemologlobin concentration was the major risk factor for complication.

Sensitivity of Cytology in the Diagnosis of Paediatric Malignancies in Nigeria

BACKGROUND Prompt and accurate diagnosis of solid malignant childhood neoplasms requires ancillary diagnostic techniques to supplement clinical acumen. This study aims to assess the role and sensitivity of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) as a tool to meet these needs in a developing country like Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary working diagnosis and cytological reports for all solid malignant neoplasms in children over a 4-year period were extracted from archives. These were then compared with histological diagnosis and/or response to therapy and clinical versus cytological sensitivity calculated. RESULTS Clinical sensitivity for head/neck vs. abdominal cavity malignancies was (83% vs. 46%) compared with cytological sensitivity (100% vs. 90%). Cytological positive predictive value for malignancy at all sites was 100%. CONCLUSION This study concludes that FNAC should be included in the routine investigation of these tumours in view of its high sensitivity and positive predictive value for malignancy.

Audit of nottingham system grades assigned to breast cancer cases in a Teaching Hospital

Background: Histologic grade of breast cancer is a Category I prognostic factor. Thus, accurate and reproducible grading must be ensured by periodic auditing and training. Objective: The objective of this study is to audit interobserver agreement in grading and evaluate agreement of grading on core needle biopsies with surgical pathology. Materials and Methods: Slides of 73 cases of invasive carcinomas of the breast were retrieved from archives. These were grouped into 43 cases on which consensus grades assigned by 3 pathologists were compared with initial grades assigned to the cases. The next 24 cases were graded independently by 4 pathologists and compared. In the last 6 cases, consensus grades were assigned to both the initial core needle biopsy (CNB) and the excisional biopsy. Kappa values were then calculated. Results: Kappa value (κ) for the first 43 cases was 0.50 (moderate agreement; P < 0.05). There was only fair agreement (κ = 0.25) between CNB grade and final surgical pathology grade, with 50% being upgraded from Grades 2–3. There was moderate agreement (κ = 0.53, P < 0.05) in the 24 cases on which inter-rater agreement was tested. Specific rating of both mitotic count and nuclear pleomorphism showed fair agreement (κ = 0.25 and 0.34, respectively) while rating of tubule formation showed moderate agreement (κ = 0.57; P < 0.05). Pairwise kappa agreement ranged from fair to good (0.31–0.63). Conclusion: To ensure reproducibility, greater attention should be paid to accurately assessing nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity in particular. Re-grading of excisional breast biopsies after initial CNB is also essential to prevent undergrading.

Multidisciplinary approach to improving concordance in diagnosis of odontogenic tumors

Background: The diagnosis of benign odontogenic tumors (BOTs) may occasionally be fraught with problems. Diagnosis of BOTs includes joint consideration of clinical features observed, appearance on radiographs and histopathologic slides. Aim: The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the level of concordance between preoperative and postoperative histopathological diagnoses of surgically treated BOT and highlight modalities that improve it. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all cases with postoperative histopathological reports of BOT seen at the Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, from January, 2012 to December, 2013 was done. Demographic information, clinical, radiological (plain radiographs), preoperative incisional biopsy and postoperative excisional biopsy results were collated. The preoperative incisional biopsy and postoperative excisional biopsy results were analyzed for concordance. Results: Thirty-three cases of BOT were reviewed (male:female = 1.4:1). Age ranged from 11 to 70 years (mean = 32 ± 18.1 years). An overall concordance of 78.8% was observed between preoperative and postoperative biopsy results. Twenty-eight histology request cards were reviewed and this showed that 14.3% of specimens were <1 cm while complete clinical information was provided in 50% of cases. Conclusion: The interaction between the pathologist and other relevant specialties that are required for effective management of BOT may be best nurtured when clinico-pathologic conferences are made a routine practice.