D Seleye-Fubara

Pathology of firearm mortalities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria : a study of 136 consecutive autopsies

A prospective autopsy study of firearms-related death was carried out by the authors in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the pattern, frequency, and anatomical sites of wounds, also the cause of death and the age and sex distribution of victims. The autopsies were performed after being served with the coroners inquest forms. In all cases standard autopsy procedures were adopted and reports issued. A total of 136 consecutive firearm deaths were autopsied. There were 122 (89.7%) males and 14 (10.3%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 8.7:1. The highest number of deaths, 95 (69.8%), occurred in the age group of 10–39 years with a peak of 51 (37.5%) deaths at 20–29 years. In 112 (82.4%) cases death occurred from homicidal gunshot wounds. The commonest targets of gunshot wounds were the head, 58 (42.6%); multiple anatomical sites, 30 (22.1%); chest, 16 (11.8%); abdomen, 11 (8.1%) and neck, 10 (7.4%). Haemorrhagic shock was the cause of death in 131 (96.3%) cases. Significant causes of traumatic death in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria are gunshot wounds and associated complications. Stringent laws on illegal firearms handling should be passed and enforced by the government to reduce the frequency of such deaths.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: clinicopathologic study of 75 cases.

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complication of liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B viral infection, fungal infection and genetic factors. This disease though having a silent course is associated with variable morbidity and mortality in this environment. METHODS Previously prepared histologic slides were retrieved and re-evaluated to confirm the diagnosis. Clinical data such as the age, sex, clinical presentations, histologic grading and cause of death were extracted from the case notes, histology request forms and autopsy protocol forms. RESULTS Seventy five cases were used for the study during the period under review. The youngest was a 14 year old male while the oldest was a 66 years old male. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Majority (28%) occurred in the age group 40-49 years. Upper abdominal mass was the most common clinical presentation (30.7%) and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common (64.0%) histologic grade. Trabecular inusoidal pattern (49.3%) was the most common histologic type (pattern) while upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (38.7%) was the most common cause of death at autopsy. CONCLUSION Hepatocellular carcinoma is a notable malignancy of the liver associated with variable morbidities and mortality as it has an insidious onset and very aggressive course.

Traumatic Death from Rival Gang Violence in Rivers State, Nigeria

A prospective autopsy study in Rivers State, Nigeria, was undertaken to evaluate the patterns of death as a result of rival gang clashes and to highlight the menace of rival gang violence. Between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2003 medico-legally autopsied bodies in Rivers State, where death was the result of gang violence, were studied after being served with the coroners form. In all cases, standard autopsy procedures were adopted and reports were issued. A total of 58 bodies were autopsied for the study. Three (5.2%) were females and 55 (94.8%) were males, giving a female to male ratio of 1:18.3. The age group of 10-29 years recorded the highest frequency of death (65.6%) with a peak in the age group 20-29 years (39.7%). Gang violence and politically motivated mob action were the most common precipitating factors (60.3% and 20.7% respectively). Firearms (41.4%) was the most common method applied for the killing. Death was more common in the rural areas of Rivers State. Gang clashes, volatile political rallies, illegal drug peddling and illegal oil bunkering should be banned and stringent laws be passed. Such laws should also cover gun handling and should be enforced.

Aero-disaster in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A case study

BACKGROUND Aero-disaster in Nigeria is posing a serious problem to government, the public and relatives of victims, as many lives are lost in a single event. MATERIALS AND METHODS A case study based on an incident at an international airport in Nigeria on December 10, 2005. Detailed autopsy was performed on 97 fully identified bodies out of the 106 victims. Variables considered include ages, sex, pattern of injuries and death as well as problems associated with identification of bodies. RESULTS A total of 97 (91.5%) out of the 106 deaths recorded were autopsied. Nine (8.5%) bodies were beyond identification, and hence autopsy could not be properly done on them. Fifty-nine (60.8%) were males and 38 (39.2%) were females, giving a ratio of 1.4:1. Sixty-one (62.9%) were children and adolescents below the age of 20 years. Severe burns 27 (27.8%), multiple injuries with burns 21 (21.6%), inhalation of fumes 20 (20.6%), multiple injuries only 16 (16.5%), severe head injury alone 11 (11.3%) and ruptured viscous 2 (2.1%) were the causes of death at autopsy in that order of frequency. CONCLUSION Aero-disaster, though rare in Port Harcourt, is posing a serious problem in Nigeria in recent times. Various agencies should be established to adequately control mass disasters in Nigeria. Adequate maintenance of aircraft and strict observation and enforcement of aviation laws may drastically reduce the frequency of accidents and subsequent deaths.

Mucinous colonic adenocarcinoma in patients aged under 25 years.

Extracted from text ... SCIENTIFIC LETTERS 616 To the Editor: Mucinous adenocarcinoma of colorectal origin in patients under 25 years of age is rare in the Nigerian environment and there are few reports on it in the available literature.1 In this age group the tumour is aggressive.1 We report on 3 cases of mucinous colonic adenocarcinoma in patients aged under 25 years and highlight the aggressive course of this tumour. A previous study at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria, reported colorectal carcinoma in patients aged 30 years and below.1 However the study did not concentrate on mucinous adenocarcinoma. These tumours secrete large amounts ..

Adipose tissue tumours in Port Harcourt: (a ten year review)

Background : A ten year (January 1990 – December 1999) retrospective study of 160 adipose tissue tumours was carried out by the authors made up of 153 benign and 7malignant tumours occurring at various anatomical sites of the body. These tumours occurred in both sexes of ages between 36-69 years. Methodology : All the histological slides previously stained with haematoxylin and eosin stains and diagnosed as lipoma or liposarcoma were retrieved to confirm previous diagnosis. Special stains like Oil-Red-O was also used for the confirmation of some cases. Variables considered include tumour location, age and sex which were extracted from the request forms and daily specimen record books. Results : Adipose tissue tumours accounted for 2.4% of total tumours diagnosed during the study period. Majority (82=51.3%) occurred in females and 78 (48.7%) occurred in males giving a gender ratio of 1.1:1. Benign and malignant tumours accounted for 95.6% and 4.4%, respectively giving a ratio of 22:1. The ages vary from 36 to 69 years and the highest frequency of occurrence was the upper arm. Conclusion : Adipose tissue tumours are some of the commonest soft tissue tumours in this environment. Though not given much attention in medical practice and in literature, they pose cosmetic problems. The location and size of the tumour determined the symptoms which range from dyspnea to a feeling of fullness and discomfort in motion. Keywords : lipoma, liposarcoma, age, gender, site, cosmetics Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(4) 2005: 92-94