Usman Bello

Abstract

Introduction: Diseases of the ovary are diversely arising from the different parenchymal tissue components. This span between reactive functional cysts to more debilitating ovarian carcinoma. Ovarian carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer and one of the leading cause of cancer death among female. This study aims to determine the epidemiological and histopathological patterns of ovarian masses in our setting. Materials and Methods: The study material was all the ovarian tissues biopsy specimen submitted to the Department of Histopathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto over five years. These were fixed in 10% formal saline embedded in paraffin wax, tissue blocks formed and were sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin on the glass slides. Request cards and case folders were used to extract clinical information. These were reviewed, analysed and presented as frequency distribution figures. Results: There were 112 ovarian biopsies during the study period. Their ages ranged between 13 and 67 years and peaked in the fourth decade of life. Fifty per cent of all the cases were seen between the ages of 21 and 40 years. Benign neoplastic diseases formed 50% of the ovarian masses and matured cystic teratoma was the most common. Others were reactive and functional ovarian cysts (24.1%), malignant neoplastic conditions (14.3%) and inflammatory / infectious diseases (11.6%). Overall mature cystic teratoma constitutes 27% of the entire ovarian masses. Conclusions: Matured cystic teratoma was the most common disease of the ovary in our setting, afflicting young female, while malignant tumours dominated by serous cystadenocarcinoma affect the older age group. The fourth decade of life was the most common age of affectation. We advocate for proper histopathologic evaluation of all ovarian masses to arrive at a definitive diagnosis to offer an appropriate treatment modality.   Keywords: Pathology, Ovary, Mature cystic Teratoma, Serous cystadenocarcinoma.

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Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a chronic granulomatous inflammation affecting many organs and systems of the body including the gastrointestinal tract with frequent involvement of the appendix. It presents with clinical diagnostic challenge without biopsy and histopathologic evaluation. The study aims to documents the histopathologic pattern of the appendiceal schistosomiasis in our environment. Material and Methods: A 15-year (2004 to 2018) review of all appendix specimens received in the department of Histopahology, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital. Information on age, sex and duration of disease was retrieved from request cards and patient case notes. Cases with histological evidence of Schistosomiasis were selected for the study. Data presented as frequency distribution tables, charts and photomicrographs. Results: Thirty six (36) cases of histopathologically confirmed Schistosomal appendicitis constituting 3.2% of all appendectomy specimen with male to female ratio of 9:1, and peak incidence in the third decade of life. Majority (83.3%) of cases show granuloma formation with either calcified or viable schistosoma ova or both. Only 6 cases show Minimal inflammatory response and calcified schistosoma ova. The most common presentation was recurrent and acute appendicitis. Conclusion: Appendiceal schistosomiasis constitutes 3.2% of appendiceal lesions in our settings, affecting predominantly young male. High index of suspicions is therefore advocated in all cases of acute recurrent abdominal pains to avoid unnecessary surgical trauma. Keywords: Appendix, Schistosoma ova, Pathology.

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