Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S E Efem

Publications and source records attributed to S E Efem.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Breast abscesses in Nigeria: lactational versus non-lactational.

This review of 299 cases of breast abscesses seen over a 10-year period (1981-1990) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Nigeria seeks to establish the current status of breast abscesses in the tropics. Lactational breast abscess constitutes 95% of breast abscesses while non-lactational breast abscess constitutes only 5% in this review. The commonest pathogen cultured from lactational breast abscess is Staphylococcus aureus and the disease responds to incision and drainage and systemic antibiotics, while non-lactational breast abscess is caused mostly by anaerobic organisms, usually with underlying mammary duct ectasia. The low incidence of non-lactational breast abscess corresponds to the low incidence of cigarette smoking and mammary duct ectasia in Nigerian women. While the high incidence of lactational breast abscess corresponds to the high rate of breast feeding and low level of personal hygiene in the low income group Nigerian women in which the disease is commonest. Economic recession has also reduced patronage of artificial feeds thus intensifying breast feeding and consequent lactational breast abscess.

Abscess↗
PubMed1994

The features and aetiology of Fournier's gangrene.

This paper reports a clinical study of 20 cases of gangrenous ulcers of the scrotum and/or of the penis (Fournier's gangrene) and a review of previous publications. Even though found mostly in elderly male patients, the disease spares no age group and can involve the external genitalia in neonates and women as well. The disease is a necrotising fasciitis of infective origin and always has a portal of entry of the infecting organisms even though it may be so trivial as to be undetected. The commonest portals of entry of infection are periurethral sepsis, groin wound sepsis, anorectal sepsis, prostatic sepsis and trauma. The infecting organisms comprise both aerobic and anaerobic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, enterococci, Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic streptococcus. Fournier's gangrene is probably the same disease as necrotizing fasciitis occurring in other parts of the body, but modified by the peculiar anatomy of the genitoperineum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Clinicopathological features of untreated fibrous hamartoma of infancy.

AIM: To study the clinicopathological features of fibrous hamartoma of infancy in Nigerian children. METHODS: Six children aged between 6 months and 10 years were studied. All specimens were stained with haemotoxylin and eosin and examined routinely. The children were followed up for between one and three years. RESULTS: In four of the children lesions were present at birth; in the other two they appeared by the age of 1 year. Some of the children had had the lesion for between three and 10 years. All lesions were located in the subcutis. They were solitary and varied in size and shape. They had grown rapidly up to the age of 5, after which growth decelerated, but did not stop or regress. The younger the child the less clearly demarcated was the tumour on the deep surface. In the older children the capsule was more developed. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous hamartoma of infancy is rare, but it is important for clinicians to know that it is benign and readily amenable to treatment.

Axilla↗
PubMed1993

Recent advances in the management of Fournier's gangrene: preliminary observations.

Twenty consecutive cases of Fournier's gangrene managed conservatively with systemic antibiotics and topical application of unprocessed honey (group A) were compared with 21 similar cases of Fournier's gangrene managed by the orthodox method (group B) during the same period. Group A received oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and metronidazole in addition to daily topical application of honey to the gangrenous scrotum, whereas group B underwent wound debridement, wound excision, secondary suturing, and in some cases scrotal plastic reconstruction in addition to receiving a mixture of systemic antibiotics dictated by culture and sensitivity results. The organisms cultured in both groups were similar. Even though the average duration of hospitalization was slightly longer in group A (4.5 weeks) as opposed to group B (4 weeks), topical application of honey showed distinct advantages over the orthodox method. Three deaths occurred in group B, whereas no deaths occurred in group A. The need for anesthesia and expensive surgical operation was obviated. Response to treatment and alleviation of morbidity were faster in group A. Honey may revolutionize the treatment of this dreadful disease by reducing morbidity and mortality.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

Clinical and bacteriological study on childhood empyema in south eastern Nigeria.

Forty-eight children with empyema thoracis were seen over a seven-year period (December, 1982 to November 1989) in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. This number accounted for 0.2% of all paediatric admissions during the period. The peak age incidence was 2 years and under. Pneumonia was the antecedent illness in about all cases, but surprisingly, measles played an insignificant role. Late consultation and severe morbidity were constant feature with anaemia and cardiac failure as frequent complications of the disease. Staphylococcus aureus, the predominant causative organism was resistant to penicillin and ampicillin but sensitive to gentamicin, cloxacillin and erythromycin. The initial use of the parenteral gentamicin or cloxacillin in treating children with empyema is therefore recommended. This study demonstrates the rarity and low fatality (6%) of childhood empyema in Calabar, but protracted hospitalisation and exorbitant medication involved make it an important disease. Perhaps, it can be completely eliminated if parents are educated enough to avoid late reporting of childhood respiratory disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The effects of fresh palm wine on human gastric acid secretion.

The effect of fresh palm wine on gastric acid secretion was studied using human volunteers. Basal acid output for seven subjects used for the study with palm wine was 1.05 +/- 0.14 mMol/hr (mean and SEM). Peak acid output following the administration of 200 ml of the palm wine was 1.21 +/- 0.20 mMol/hr, and was not statistically different from the basal. Basal acid output for six subjects used for the study with ethanol (a constituent of palm wine) was 0.95 +/- 0.13 mMol/hr and following the administration of 200 ml of 5% ethanol the peak acid output was 5.85 +/- 0.32 mMol/hr. This peak acid output was higher in the ethanol group than the palm wine group (p less than 0.001). Fresh palm wine is not ulcerogenic as might be thought despite its content of ethyl alcohol (5%).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Clinical observations on the wound healing properties of honey.

Fifty-nine patients with wounds and ulcers most of which (80 per cent) had failed to heal with conventional treatment were treated with unprocessed honey. Fifty-eight cases showed remarkable improvement following topical application of honey. One case, later diagnosed as Buruli ulcer, failed to respond. Wounds that were sterile at the outset, remained sterile until healed, while infected wounds and ulcer became sterile within 1 week of topical application of honey. Honey debrided wounds rapidly, replacing sloughs with granulation tissue. It also promoted rapid epithelialization, and absorption of oedema from around the ulcer margins.

Administration, Topical↗