Symon W. Guthua

Occurrence and characteristics of mandibular fractures in Nairobi, Kenya

Analysis of 355 cases with fractures of the mandible indicated that 74.9% of the cases were due to interpersonal violence and 13.8% were caused by road traffic accidents. The men to women ratio was 8.4:1 and 75.5% of the fracture cases had single fractures while 24.5% had multiple fractures. In cases with a single fracture, the most commonly involved mandibular site was the body (42.2%). The angle of mandible was most frequently fractured (50.5%) in cases with multiple fractures.

The pattern and occurrence of ameloblastoma in adolescents treated at a university teaching hospital, in Kenya: A 13-year study

UNLABELLED Ameloblastoma presenting in the adolescent age group is rare with few studies documenting their occurrence. AIM The aim of this study was to carry out an analysis of the pattern and occurrence of ameloblastoma in those less than 20 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHOD Patients from the University of Nairobi Dental teaching Hospital treated for ameloblastoma were included in the study over a 13-year period. The study highlights the demographic, clinic-radiographic and histologic features of benign locally aggressive lesions. RESULTS A total of 127 patients were recorded of which, 27 (21.3%) were below the age of 20 years; no case was reported below the age of 10 years. 18.5% were below the age of 14 years and 81.5% were 15-19 years old. The gender predilection was ∼1:1. All of the tumours occurred in the mandible, with radiographic features of a multilocular radiolucencies (85.2%); and a fewer unilocular lesions (14.8%). The management is in a staged-wise approach: resection and/or disarticulation with temporary reconstruction using mandibular stainless steel or titanium plates and delayed bone grafting. CONCLUSION The occurrence of ameloblastoma can mimic an odontogenic cyst, clinicians therefore need to be vigilant when examining adolescents so that conservative treatment is started early in order to reduce the subsequent morbidity.

Early outcome of three cases of melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI)/progonoma is a rare lesion affecting infants. Although it is slow growing and appears benign, it may have malignant potential. Evidently, surgery is the main stay of treatment and close follow-up is recommended for all cases. The literature shows that radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be indicated especially in cases where total surgical extirpation is equivocal. This article contributes three more cases of MNTI surgically managed at our institution.

keratocystic odontogenic tumours of the jaws and associated pathologies - a 10 year clinicopathologic audit in a referral teaching hospital in kenya

AIM To establish the pattern of occurrence and the clinicopathological features of keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) over a 10-year period. MATERIALS AND METHOD Patients from the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital treated for KCOT were included in the study over a 10-year period. The study highlights the demographic, clinico-radiological and histological features of these tumours. RESULTS A total of 22 confirmed cases of KCOTs were recorded with equal gender prevalence; (M:F = 1.44:1). The age range of the patients was from 10 to 69 years with a peak in the second decade of life (mean = 27.5 yrs). Of the 22 cases, 15 (68.2%) occurred in the mandible of which eight (53.3%) involved the body, five (33.4%) the angle and ramus. Six (27.3%) occurred in the maxilla, and one (4.5%) was in both jaws and was associated with Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome. The most common presenting complaint in most patients was swelling 54.6%, and in 18.2% was incidental finding. Eight (36.4%) cases showed satellite cysts upon pathologic evaluation. Thirteen (59.1%) cases were managed by surgical excision, while nine (40.9%) were managed by enucleation. CONCLUSION Based on the outcome of this study, KCOT present mostly in body, angle and ramus of the mandible and its peak is in the second decade of life.

Osteosarcoma of the maxillofacial bones in Kenyans

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly malignant tumour and is the most common primary neoplasm of bone; although rare, especially in the maxillofacial skeleton. This article presents 14 Kenyan cases of OS of the maxillofacial bones seen between January 1991 and July 1997: 11 in the mandible, two in the maxilla and one in the right zygomatic arch. Patients ranged in age from one week to 50 years (Mean = 29.7), with an equal gender distribution. While pain and rapid swelling were the commonest clinical features, the radiographic and histopathological characteristics were as varied as has been described elsewhere. Generally, effective management of most of the cases was poor due to late presentation for treatment.

Ameloblastoma after surgical removal of an impacted mandibular molar. A case report

A case of an ameloblastoma diagnosed about 3 1/2 years after removal of an impacted mandibular 3rd molar is presented. The pre-operative radiographs, though poor in quality, showed an ill-defined radiolucency in relation to the tooth. This feature was not apparent to the examiners at the time of first presentation. Despite unfavourable working conditions in developing countries, a high level of suspicion should be maintained to avoid serious sequelae at a later stage.