African Journal of Medical Case Reports

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2024. https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Successful management of status epilepticus in a resource poor environment

¹Abraham S. Kamara, RN; ^1,2Lawrence Zumo, MD, FAAN

¹Center for Epilepsy & Neurologic Diseases, Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa
²Department of Neurology, University of Maryland Capital Regional Health Center, Largo, Maryland, USA.

Received 18 January, 2024; Accepted 24, February 2024; Published:

Abstract
    
Despite the severe lack of resources, SE (status epilepticus) can be successfully managed in a resource poor environment like Liberia. However to achieve this, injectable anticonvulsants beyond oral benzodiazepines must be readily available to make a successful therapeutic outcome possible. Additionally, active and very serious national public health education including national seizure awareness, treatment availability and health literacy campaigns are urgently necessary in Liberia to disabuse patients and their families from relying on scientifically untested and unproven traditional herbs used by traditional herbalists who have no knowledge of the pathomechanisms of epilepsy and other neurologic diseases. These two efforts will go a long way to improve the epilepsy awareness and treatment landscape in Liberia with attendant improved epilepsy stigma reduction, reduced epilepsy associated morbidity and mortality and ultimately improved survival rates from status epilepticus in Liberia.

Keywords: Status epilepticus; iv anticonvulsants; poor resources; herbalist; public health education; unscientific beliefs; depakoate; Keppra.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

REVIEW

Beyond the Benign: Exploring the complexities of Desmoid Tumours and Fibromatosis

Arcot Rekha

Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra Medical University,
Porur, Chennai 600116, India.

Accepted 2 May, 2023

Abstract

Desmoid tumours are benign tumours that have a tendency to be locally invasive. We present a desmoid tumour of the lower abdominal wall in a 30 year old female patient, discussed the treatment options and reviewed literature of this uncommon lesion.

Key words: Desmoid, abdominal wall, benign tumour.

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Uncovering the enigma of ancient civilizations: A scholarly investigation

Anuj Mishra¹*, Mohamed Hamadto², Mohamed Azzabi² and Ehtuish F. Ehtuish²

¹Department of Radiology, Libyan National Organ Transplant Program, Tripoli Central Hospital, Libya.
²Department of General Surgery, Tripoli Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya.

Accepted 14 October, 2023

Abstract

A 29-year-old female had presented to surgical out patient’s department complaining of lump in the anterior abdominal wall. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid degenerated tumor in the anterior abdominal wall. It was surgically excised and histopathology confirmed it to be ‘ancient’ schwannoma. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of an abdominal wall ancient schwannoma in the medical literature.

Key words: Schwannoma, abdominal wall, magnetic resonance imaging.
 

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Impact of measles complications on patients in a Nigerian hospital setting

Onoja, A. B.*, Adeniji, A. J. and Faneye, A.

Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 February, 2024

Abstract

In spite of active measles vaccination efforts in 2005 in southern Nigeria, re-emergence continues to occur. This study was carried out to ascertain the incidence of measles, severity, mortality and its complications, in order to enhance treatment and reduce under-five child mortality. Secondary data from the records in the measles ward of Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital, Ibadan was used. The period under investigation was 2005 to 2008, following the catch-up and follow-up measles vaccination exercise. Four hundred children between the ages of 5 months and 14 years were clinically diagnosed with measles from 2005 to 2008, of which 124 (31%) had complications. Among those with complications, 70 (56.5%) mortalities were observed, and as the children approached 14 years of age, incidence of measles reduced to 0%. Measles is still a major childhood problem in the southern part of Nigeria, even as the burden is more in northern Nigeria. This will invariably hamper global measles mortality reduction initiatives and the attainment of the fourth millennium development goal of reduction of under-five child mortality by 2015, hence the need for a coordinated and strategic mass vaccination effort to target unimmunized children.

Key words: Measles in children, complications, clinical diagnosis, mortality, mass vaccination.
 

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Emerging diagnostic approaches for toxoplasmosis: A review

Vikrant Sudan*, Amit K. Jaiswal and Daya Shanker

Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, U P Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura- 281001, India.

Accepted 11 November, 2023

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widely prevalent cyst forming apicomplexan parasite present worldwide. Felines serve as definitive hosts, while all non-feline vertebrates including humans, act as intermediate hosts of the parasite. There are several serological tests available for the detection of T. gondii antibodies such as the dye test (DT), indirect haemagglutination test (IHA), complement fixation test (CFT), modified agglutination test (MAT), latex agglutination test (LAT), indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT) and direct agglutination test (DAT). The dye test once considered as gold standard is seldom used nowadays, owing to potent hazardous effects because of involvement of live tachyzoites. Of late, enzyme linked immune sorbent assays (ELISA) have gained a lot of utility in diagnosing toxoplasmosis. Other than serological tests, bioassays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays and histopathologies are also used. The various tests used for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, along with various molecules being employed, coupled with their advantages and limitations, are described and discussed in detail in the present review.

Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, diagnosis, enzyme linked immune sorbent assays (ELISA), molecular techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

African Journal of Medical Case Reports ISSN 2756-3316 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Understanding traumatic injuries in walnut harvesting: Patterns and prevention strategies

Mudassir M. Wani¹*, Rajandeep Bali¹, Iqbal Saleem Mir¹, Nisar Hamadani¹ and Mubashir Wani²

¹Department of Surgery, Government Medical College, Srinagar, 190010, India.

²Department of Orthopedics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, 190005, India.

Accepted 28 October, 2023

Abstract

Falls from trees and other tree related injuries are one of the most common causes of trauma in parts of rural Kashmir, particularly, during the harvest season. A one year review of all admissions for trauma, due to falling from trees, to the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Medical College Srinagar was carried out. The study revealed that walnut trees are the most commonly involved trees in such cases. It was the 4th most common cause of trauma related admissions during harvest season. There was only one female admitted with such trauma out of 106 patients. Forearm fractures were the most common injuries overall. Head and chest trauma were the commonest causes of death. There are many strategies for preventing such injuries; the most important being to stop small boys from climbing tall trees and also the more frequent use of grafted walnut trees. Such falls are a serious occupational hazard for many subsistence farmers.

Key words: Injury, trees, fall, walnut tree.