African journal of medicine and medical sciences
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Children and young adults who suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of blindness from retinopathy and other complications. The incidence of proliferative retinopathy in SCD patients varies from 5 to 10% depending on the genotype, being commoner in SC than SS and S-thal. 'Sudden' blinding sequelae such as vitreous haemmorrhage and tractional retinal detachment can eventuate from vasculo-proliferative retinal lesions, known as sea fans, in otherwise 'quiet' eyes. This risk can be minimised considerably if the lesions are detected in a timely fashion and treated, usually with laser photocoagulation and possibly with cryotherapy. ⋯ Children with SCD should, from about the age of ten, be referred for at least biennial dilated binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy preferably with fluorescein angiography if such facilities are available, so that neovascular lesions can be treated before blinding sequelae occur. From the age of 20, the frequency of eye examination should increase to yearly. Antisickling remedies, such as NIPRISAN may be beneficial in prophylaxis.
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The purpose of this retrospective study is to show the pattern of penetrating chest injury, methods of management and the outcome. Were viewed all consecutive penetrating chest injured patients admitted to the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan between May 1975 and April 1999. We found that 597 patients had penetrating chest injuries. ⋯ It is commoner in men and currently involves the older age group and it is most frequently inflicted by gunshot. Majority may be managed conservatively with low incidence of complications. Prompt major surgery limits mortality among the salvageable.