Background: When a disease is associated with stigma, there may be attendant negative consequences. Purpose: This review was to show how stigma-associated diseases impact negatively on the psychological and social wel...Background: When a disease is associated with stigma, there may be attendant negative consequences. Purpose: This review was to show how stigma-associated diseases impact negatively on the psychological and social wellbeing of the affected persons. Methods: The relevant articles for the review were obtained through PubMed and Google Scholar search on the internet using relevant keywords. Results: Several infectious and non-infectious diseases are associated with stigma. The causes of stigma in these diseases include fear of contracting the disease and dying from it, disfiguring caused by the disease and ignorance and misconception concerning the cause, nature and infectivity of the disease. Those suffering from stigma-associated diseases are usually discriminated against and denied the privileges and opportunities available for those not suffering from stigma-associated diseases. This often leads to psychosocial or psychiatric complications such as social isolation, depression or even suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Stigma-associated diseases still remain a very important health problem with attendant psychosocial consequences. Multi-disciplinary and multi-level efforts are required for its effective mitigation.展开更多
Background: Lassa fever cases outside Africa are seen as imported cases of Lassa fever. Timely diagnosis of imported Lassa fever is important for timely intervention necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality ass...Background: Lassa fever cases outside Africa are seen as imported cases of Lassa fever. Timely diagnosis of imported Lassa fever is important for timely intervention necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Lassa fever, and this requires the knowledge of the clinical manifestations of Lassa fever. Purpose: This review was done to see how clinical diagnosis of imported Lassa fever can be facilitated based on the clinical presentations of imported cases of Lassa fever in Lassa fever non-endemic region. Methods: The relevant articles for the review were obtained from the databases of PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: The clinical presentations of the imported Lassa fever cases consisted of multisystem involvement and were similar to those of Lassa fever patients who were treated in the Lassa fever endemic region. Conclusions: History of recent travel to, or residence in, Lassa fever endemic region is an important clue for clinical diagnosis of Lassa fever. The 2011 CDC surveillance case definition and the modified Khan case definition for Lassa fever may aid clinical diagnosis of Lassa fever. Any clinically suspected case of Lassa fever should have a laboratory confirmation.展开更多
Background and Objective: Vocal cord paralysis results in impairment of breathing and/or speech. One of the causes of vocal cord paralysis is the disruption of vagus nerve innervation to the vocal cords by the mass ef...Background and Objective: Vocal cord paralysis results in impairment of breathing and/or speech. One of the causes of vocal cord paralysis is the disruption of vagus nerve innervation to the vocal cords by the mass effect of a neighbouring structure. We report a rare case of vocal cord paralysis secondary to internal carotid artery dissection. Method: The diagnosis was based on clinical history, physical examination and imaging studies. Literature review was done. Case Report: This was a 53-year-old female with a history of unremitting, progressive hoarseness and mild dysphagia to liquid, who was clinically found to have impaired left vocal cord mobility, a left-sided pulsatile neck mass and left carotid artery dissection based on imaging studies. Symptoms abated after conservative treatment with Aspirin and she has remained symptom free since two years of follow-up. Conclusion: Vocal cord paralysis can be a consequence of carotid artery dissection causing mass effect on the vagus nerve. Thus, carotid artery dissection should not be forgotten as a possible cause of vocal cord paralysis in some cases of vocal cord paralysis of uncertain etiology. Treatment with anti-platelet drug can bring about resolution of symptoms and return of vocal cord mobility.展开更多
Background: Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever associated with several complications which include hearing loss. Hearing loss in Lassa fever may become residual with its negative impact on the quality of life. ...Background: Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever associated with several complications which include hearing loss. Hearing loss in Lassa fever may become residual with its negative impact on the quality of life. Purpose: This paper is a review of various studies on Lassa fever related hearing loss. Methods: Systematic literature review was done on articles on Lassa fever patients and Lassa fever survivors. Relevant articles published in English between 1969 and 2021 were searched for using Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Eight studies which met the inclusion criteria were finally selected and included in the review. The variables of interest were extracted from the full-text articles. Results: Lassa fever related hearing loss occurs in both sexes and in all age groups. The incidence of self-reported hearing loss ranged from 12.5% to 30% with a mean of 17.6%. The incidence of audiometrically determined sensorineural hearing loss ranged from 13.5% to 29% with a mean of 22.1%. Hearing loss persisted in 64% of those that were followed up. Cases of hearing loss varied in severity, ranging from mild to profound. No successful specific treatment for Lassa fever related hearing loss was reported apart from hearing rehabilitation. Conclusion: Hearing loss among Lassa fever patients remains a major challenge. Lack of effective treatment for Lassa fever related hearing loss is a serious gap in the management of Lassa fever patients which should be addressed in future research.展开更多
<strong>Introduction: </strong>Lassa fever is a disease of public health importance because of the associated morbidity and high case fatality rate among hospitalized patients. Even after recovery, there m...<strong>Introduction: </strong>Lassa fever is a disease of public health importance because of the associated morbidity and high case fatality rate among hospitalized patients. Even after recovery, there may be residual problems such as sensorineural hearing loss. The initial presentation of Lassa fever may be with non-specific symptoms similar to what is seen in the more common febrile illnesses such as malaria or typhoid fever. In such a setting therefore, timely diagnosis of Lassa fever may be difficult. <strong>Case Report: </strong>We report a case of Lassa fever that presented to our institution. She was a middle aged woman who had non-specific symptoms of febrile illness and who died in less than 48 hours of admission. She had a subtle bleeding on the lip just before death which was what raised the suspicion for Lassa fever. Laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was made retrospectively.<strong> Conclusion: </strong>When the presenting symptoms are non-specific, a high index of suspicion is required for timely recognition of Lassa fever. Early diagnosis is important for prompt therapeutic intervention as well as for limiting the spread of the disease. This is the second case of Lassa fever presenting to our hospital, but the first published case of Lassa fever from our hospital.展开更多
Background: Acute upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that requires urgent evaluation and precise action to save life. It is the most crucial and dramatic emergency faced in otorhinolaryngology (O...Background: Acute upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that requires urgent evaluation and precise action to save life. It is the most crucial and dramatic emergency faced in otorhinolaryngology (ORL) practice, and occurs in both the old and young, male and female. Purpose: The study was aimed to analyze cases of acute upper airway obstruction seen in our tertiary Hospital over a decade and half, to ascertain the number of patients, their ages and sexes, causes and interventions. Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria from January 2007 to December 2021. The charts and records of the patients were reviewed to extract the required data which were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Two hundred and ninety one (291) cases of acute upper airway obstruction were studied. There were 200 (68.73%) males and 91 (31.27%) females, ratio 2.20:1.00. Their ages ranged from 1 day (0.002739 years) to 88 years, with a mean of 30.61 ± 26.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 27.53 to 33.68 and median of 29. Children were 132 (45.36%) and adults 159 (54.64%). Causes of obstruction were many and varied, and included: congenital, trauma, infection, inflammation, neoplasm and others. Tracheostomy was the main surgical airway intervention. Conclusion: Incidence of acute upper airway obstruction was common and involved both the old and young, male and female, with varied causes. Vigilance and caution need be taken for early presentation and precise intervention offered to mitigate morbidity and mortality.展开更多
文摘Background: When a disease is associated with stigma, there may be attendant negative consequences. Purpose: This review was to show how stigma-associated diseases impact negatively on the psychological and social wellbeing of the affected persons. Methods: The relevant articles for the review were obtained through PubMed and Google Scholar search on the internet using relevant keywords. Results: Several infectious and non-infectious diseases are associated with stigma. The causes of stigma in these diseases include fear of contracting the disease and dying from it, disfiguring caused by the disease and ignorance and misconception concerning the cause, nature and infectivity of the disease. Those suffering from stigma-associated diseases are usually discriminated against and denied the privileges and opportunities available for those not suffering from stigma-associated diseases. This often leads to psychosocial or psychiatric complications such as social isolation, depression or even suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Stigma-associated diseases still remain a very important health problem with attendant psychosocial consequences. Multi-disciplinary and multi-level efforts are required for its effective mitigation.
文摘Background: Lassa fever cases outside Africa are seen as imported cases of Lassa fever. Timely diagnosis of imported Lassa fever is important for timely intervention necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Lassa fever, and this requires the knowledge of the clinical manifestations of Lassa fever. Purpose: This review was done to see how clinical diagnosis of imported Lassa fever can be facilitated based on the clinical presentations of imported cases of Lassa fever in Lassa fever non-endemic region. Methods: The relevant articles for the review were obtained from the databases of PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: The clinical presentations of the imported Lassa fever cases consisted of multisystem involvement and were similar to those of Lassa fever patients who were treated in the Lassa fever endemic region. Conclusions: History of recent travel to, or residence in, Lassa fever endemic region is an important clue for clinical diagnosis of Lassa fever. The 2011 CDC surveillance case definition and the modified Khan case definition for Lassa fever may aid clinical diagnosis of Lassa fever. Any clinically suspected case of Lassa fever should have a laboratory confirmation.
文摘Background and Objective: Vocal cord paralysis results in impairment of breathing and/or speech. One of the causes of vocal cord paralysis is the disruption of vagus nerve innervation to the vocal cords by the mass effect of a neighbouring structure. We report a rare case of vocal cord paralysis secondary to internal carotid artery dissection. Method: The diagnosis was based on clinical history, physical examination and imaging studies. Literature review was done. Case Report: This was a 53-year-old female with a history of unremitting, progressive hoarseness and mild dysphagia to liquid, who was clinically found to have impaired left vocal cord mobility, a left-sided pulsatile neck mass and left carotid artery dissection based on imaging studies. Symptoms abated after conservative treatment with Aspirin and she has remained symptom free since two years of follow-up. Conclusion: Vocal cord paralysis can be a consequence of carotid artery dissection causing mass effect on the vagus nerve. Thus, carotid artery dissection should not be forgotten as a possible cause of vocal cord paralysis in some cases of vocal cord paralysis of uncertain etiology. Treatment with anti-platelet drug can bring about resolution of symptoms and return of vocal cord mobility.
文摘Background: Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever associated with several complications which include hearing loss. Hearing loss in Lassa fever may become residual with its negative impact on the quality of life. Purpose: This paper is a review of various studies on Lassa fever related hearing loss. Methods: Systematic literature review was done on articles on Lassa fever patients and Lassa fever survivors. Relevant articles published in English between 1969 and 2021 were searched for using Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Eight studies which met the inclusion criteria were finally selected and included in the review. The variables of interest were extracted from the full-text articles. Results: Lassa fever related hearing loss occurs in both sexes and in all age groups. The incidence of self-reported hearing loss ranged from 12.5% to 30% with a mean of 17.6%. The incidence of audiometrically determined sensorineural hearing loss ranged from 13.5% to 29% with a mean of 22.1%. Hearing loss persisted in 64% of those that were followed up. Cases of hearing loss varied in severity, ranging from mild to profound. No successful specific treatment for Lassa fever related hearing loss was reported apart from hearing rehabilitation. Conclusion: Hearing loss among Lassa fever patients remains a major challenge. Lack of effective treatment for Lassa fever related hearing loss is a serious gap in the management of Lassa fever patients which should be addressed in future research.
文摘<strong>Introduction: </strong>Lassa fever is a disease of public health importance because of the associated morbidity and high case fatality rate among hospitalized patients. Even after recovery, there may be residual problems such as sensorineural hearing loss. The initial presentation of Lassa fever may be with non-specific symptoms similar to what is seen in the more common febrile illnesses such as malaria or typhoid fever. In such a setting therefore, timely diagnosis of Lassa fever may be difficult. <strong>Case Report: </strong>We report a case of Lassa fever that presented to our institution. She was a middle aged woman who had non-specific symptoms of febrile illness and who died in less than 48 hours of admission. She had a subtle bleeding on the lip just before death which was what raised the suspicion for Lassa fever. Laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was made retrospectively.<strong> Conclusion: </strong>When the presenting symptoms are non-specific, a high index of suspicion is required for timely recognition of Lassa fever. Early diagnosis is important for prompt therapeutic intervention as well as for limiting the spread of the disease. This is the second case of Lassa fever presenting to our hospital, but the first published case of Lassa fever from our hospital.
文摘Background: Acute upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that requires urgent evaluation and precise action to save life. It is the most crucial and dramatic emergency faced in otorhinolaryngology (ORL) practice, and occurs in both the old and young, male and female. Purpose: The study was aimed to analyze cases of acute upper airway obstruction seen in our tertiary Hospital over a decade and half, to ascertain the number of patients, their ages and sexes, causes and interventions. Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria from January 2007 to December 2021. The charts and records of the patients were reviewed to extract the required data which were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Two hundred and ninety one (291) cases of acute upper airway obstruction were studied. There were 200 (68.73%) males and 91 (31.27%) females, ratio 2.20:1.00. Their ages ranged from 1 day (0.002739 years) to 88 years, with a mean of 30.61 ± 26.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 27.53 to 33.68 and median of 29. Children were 132 (45.36%) and adults 159 (54.64%). Causes of obstruction were many and varied, and included: congenital, trauma, infection, inflammation, neoplasm and others. Tracheostomy was the main surgical airway intervention. Conclusion: Incidence of acute upper airway obstruction was common and involved both the old and young, male and female, with varied causes. Vigilance and caution need be taken for early presentation and precise intervention offered to mitigate morbidity and mortality.
