Minimally invasive management of hidradenitis suppurativa using a 1470 nm diode laser: a step-by-step description of our technique.

Background: The management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure sustainable treatment results, especially in the advanced stages. Traditionally, deroofing and wide excision represented commonly employed surgical techniques. Due to the recurrent nature of HS, tissue preservation should be a relevant aspect of surgical management.

Evaluating the implementation of online research training and mentorship among early-career family physicians in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Research is needed to improve the performance of primary health care. In Africa, few family physicians conduct research, and therefore an online research training and mentorship programme was developed to build research capacity amongst novice and early career researchers.

Aim: To evaluate the implementation of the AfriWon Research Collaborative (ARC) training and e-mentorship programme in sub-Saharan Africa.

Reduction in FEV following spinal anesthesia is associated with intraoperative complications: A prospective study.

Background And Aims: Although Spinal Anesthesia (SA) remains the technique of choice for many surgeries below the umbilicus, it is associated with multiple intraoperative complications. Sympathetic blockade and Bezold-Jarisch reflex do not fully explain SA-related cardiopulmonary complications. Reduction in FEV has been reported as a predictor of sudden cardiac death.

Reflections on 20 years of the Wilms Africa project: Lessons learned and the way forward.

Wilms tumour (WT) is one of the common and curable childhood cancer types included in the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) to monitor progress. Local evidence is key to finding effective and sustainable solutions to local challenges to improve care and survival. Local evidence generated by the Wilms Africa project is summarised with recommendations for the future.

Neuroschistosomiasis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Spinal cord involvement is a rare complication of the schistosomiasis manifesting as myeloradiculopathy, medullary or conus-cauda equina syndrome which can lead to potentially serious long-term disability. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging coupled with biochemical parameters have become the mainstay of diagnosis. Biopsy which is the gold standard of diagnosis demonstrating the organism is usually reserved for cases of diagnostic challenge.

Effectiveness of a Wilms tumour treatment guideline adapted to local circumstances in sub-Saharan Africa: A report from Wilms Africa Phase II-CANCaRe Africa.

Background: Wilms tumour (WT) is one of the cancer types targeted by the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of Wilms Africa Phase II in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Wilms Africa Phase II used a comprehensive WT treatment protocol in a multi-centre, prospective study conducted in eight hospitals in Ethiopia (2), Ghana (2), Malawi, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Surgical aspects and outcomes after nephrectomy for Wilms tumour in sub-Saharan Africa: A report from Wilms Africa Phase II-CANCaRe Africa.

Background: Wilms tumour (WT) is one of the common and curable cancer types targeted by the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Tumour excision is essential for cure. This analysis focuses on surgical outcomes of patients with WT in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevention of treatment abandonment remains an important challenge to increase survival of Wilms tumor in sub-Saharan Africa: A report from Wilms Africa-CANCaRe Africa.

Background: The Wilms Africa studies implemented an adapted Wilm's tumor (WT) treatment protocol in sub-Saharan Africa in two phases. Phase I began with four sites and provided out-of-pocket costs. Phase II expanded the number of sites, but lost funding provision.

Evaluation of the ultrasound findings of thyroid gland enlargement in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Goiter is a major source of morbidity in the world, especially in the developing world, where dietary iodine deficiency, a known cause of this condition, is endemic. The diagnosis is mostly by ultrasonography (USG) scan, which can give anatomical, pathological, and functional information for the management of goiter. This study aimed to determine the commonest ultrasound findings of goiter in Ghana.

A rare mimic of adult-onset asthma: Case report and review of the literature.

Adult-onset asthma is extremely variable in its phenotypic presentation and has gained notoriety for the overall poorer treatment outcomes even on standard asthma therapy. Tracheal tumours are rare but when present, exhibit asthma-like phenomenon in adult patients posing great diagnostic challenges. We report two adult patients with tracheal adenoid cystic tumours who were initially treated for adult-onset asthma.

The mediating role of quality of life on depression and medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Patients living with diabetes mellitus have a high burden of psychological distress such as depression and anxiety as well as impaired quality of life, which may negatively impact their adherence to medications, glucose control, and health-related costs.This study assessed the impact of quality of life and depression on medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]) in a tertiary care setting in Ghana.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study involving 238 patients with diabetes aged 18 years and above.

Pediatric HIV Disclosure Intervention Improves Immunologic Outcome at 48 Weeks: The Sankofa Trial Experience.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends disclosure of HIV status to children and adolescents living with HIV (CALWH). HIV disclosure improves adherence to antiretroviral therapy and immunologic and virologic outcomes. However, the prevalence of HIV disclosure is low in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevention and Screening for Cardiometabolic Disease Following Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy in Low-Resource Settings: A Systematic Review and Delphi Study.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and cardiometabolic and kidney diseases are rising in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While HDP are risk factors for cardiometabolic and kidney diseases, cost-effective, scalable strategies for screening and prevention in women with a history of HDP are lacking. Existing guidelines and recommendations require adaptation to LMIC settings.

Socioeconomic and residence-based related inequality in childhood vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin.

Background And Aims: Childhood vaccination remains a cost-effective strategy that has expedited the control and elimination of numerous diseases. Although coverage of new vaccines in low- and middle-income countries increased exponentially in the last two decades, progress on expanding routine vaccination services to reach all children remains low, and coverage levels in many countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to examine the pattern of wealth and residence-based related inequality in vaccination coverage through an equity lens.

Blood pressure-lowering medication prescribing, its adherence to guidelines and relationship with blood pressure control at a family medicine department.

Background: In many resource-constrained countries, control of blood pressure (BP) is low. Antihypertensive drug prescribing practices may influence BP control. However, adherence of prescribing to treatment guidelines may not be optimal in resource-constrained settings.

Cryptococcal meningitis among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents: Case series on presentation and management challenges.

Diagnosis and management of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected adolescents is challenging in poor resource settings. A high index of suspicion based on clinical presentation is critical for early identification and treatment. This report sought to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in adolescents.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of early-onset breast cancer: a comparative analysis of cases from across Ghana.

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer diagnosed globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women younger than 40 years. This study comparatively reviewed the demographic, pathologic and molecular features of Early-Onset Breast Cancer (EOBC) reported in Ghana in relation to Late Onset Breast Cancer (LOBC).

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, with purposive sampling of retrospective histopathology data from 2019 to 2021.

Drug-related problems among hospitalized hypertensive and heart failure patients and physician acceptance of pharmacists' interventions at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Background: Hypertensive and heart failure patients frequently require multiple drug therapy which may be associated with drug-related problems (DRPs).

Aim: To determine the frequency, types, and predictors of DRPs, and acceptance of pharmacists' interventions among hospitalized hypertensive and heart failure patients.

Method: It was a prospective cross-sectional study at the internal medicine department wards of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) between January and June 2019 using a validated form (the pharmaceutical care form used by clinical pharmacists at the medical department).

Transient cortical blindness, a rare complication during cerebral digital subtraction angiography: A case report and literature review.

Transient cortical blindness (TCB) is a rare consequence of cerebral angiography with no recognized cause. TCB was observed in a patient with a wide-neck cavernous aneurysm during digital subtraction angiography. One hour after angiography, vision returned spontaneously, with no neurological damage.

A case report of a teenager with hepatitis B surface antigen-positive multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in a noncirrhotic liver.

Hepatitis B virus is a known carcinogen for hepatocellular carcinoma, which is rare in the pediatric population. We report a 13-year-old patient with hepatitis B surface antigen-positive multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in a noncirrhotic liver. Her APRI score was 0.

Prostate tumors of native men from West Africa show biologically distinct pathways-A comparative genomic study.

Background: Native African men (NAM) experience a disproportionate burden of prostate cancer (PCa) and have higher mortality rates compared to European American men (EAM). While socioeconomic status has been implicated as a driver of this disparity, little is known about the genomic mechanisms and distinct biological pathways that are associated with PCa of native men of African origin.

Methods: To understand biological factors that contribute to this disparity we utilized a total of 406 multi-institutional localized PCa samples, collected by Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate biospecimen network and Moffitt Cancer Center/University of Pennsylvania Health science system.

Craniolacunia in A neonate; A clinical and CT scan illustrative case report.

Neural tube defects can be accurately diagnosed prenatally. Every effort must be made to get this and its associations with Craniolacunia right, especially in low-resource settings. This case highlights the importance of three-dimensional CT in diagnosing neonatal skull abnormalities.

Cardiac sarcoidosis: Two case reports.

The clinical presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis is variable. We report two cases of cardiac sarcoidosis to highlight the varied clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges in our setting, and encourage the consideration of sarcoidosis as a differential in unexplained arrhythmias and heart failure.