RESUMEN
Spinal cord injury is a common occurrence in Zimbabwe and carries with it a high morbidity and mortality. In the past almost all patients discharged from hospital were dead within a year. Reasons for this high mortality are presented. The establishment of the National Rehabilitation Centre has had a profound impact on the survival of these individuals as well as on improving their quality of life. The results of a retrospective survey on the mortality and life situation of individuals with spinal cord injuries sustained through trauma are presented. However major unresolved problems are inadequate housing, lack of financial support, practically no prospect of employment and depression compounded by boredom.
Asunto(s)
Países en Desarrollo , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/rehabilitación , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/terapia , Hospitalización , Humanos , Mortalidad , Dolor/fisiopatología , Paraplejía/fisiopatología , Cuadriplejía/fisiopatología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/fisiopatología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , ZimbabweRESUMEN
A review of 262 histologically verified spinal cord tumours in Black Zimbabweans who were operated on in Harare Central and Parirenyatwa Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe during the period 1st January 1972 to 31st December 1991 is presented. Fifty one pc of the neoplasms were found in the thoracic region, 53.4 pc were found extradurally, and of these the majority were metastatic (52 pc) and malignant tumours (85 pc). Most (96 pc) intradural-extramedullary tumours were benign with Schwannomas as the largest group (54 pc). Malignant astrocytomas presented as 71.4 pc of all intramedullary tumours. Metastatic tumours represented 28.6 pc of all spinal cord tumours. The most common sites of metastasis were from liver, thyroid and prostate.
Asunto(s)
Vigilancia de la Población , Neoplasias de la Médula Espinal/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias de la Médula Espinal/etiología , Neoplasias de la Médula Espinal/patología , Neoplasias de la Médula Espinal/cirugía , Zimbabwe/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Case files of 92 patients who had their hydrocephalus relieved by the insertion of the Harare Valve shunt system were reviewed. All patients had undergone surgery for shunt insertion at the Harare Central and Parirenyatwa Teaching Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, between January 1986 and January 1988. All but one patient reviewed had Harare valve ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertions. The commonest indication for shunt insertion was congenital hydrocephalus alone or coexisting with other abnormalities (62 pc). Post meningitic hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus associated with intracranial tumours were next in frequency at 26 pc and 9 pc respectively. The etiology of hydrocephalus was not diagnosed in one four-year-old patient. The ages of the patients on admission ranged from one day to seven years (mean 12.4 months). Infection rates correlated well with the etiology of hydrocephalus; lowest (2 and half pc) in patients with simple congenital hydrocephalus and highest (29.2 pc) in post meningitic patients. A variety of organisms were isolated from CSF, blood, wounds and catheter tips. Lactose fermenting coliforms, S. epidermidis and E. coli predominated. Infection was combated by antibiotics, shunt removal or a combination of both. The antibiotics most commonly used were the penicillins, chloramphenicol, cloxacillin and gentamycin.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones Bacterianas/etiología , Derivaciones del Líquido Cefalorraquídeo/efectos adversos , Hidrocefalia/cirugía , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Infecciones Bacterianas/tratamiento farmacológico , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Cavidad Peritoneal , Complicaciones PosoperatoriasRESUMEN
A series of eight anterior encephalocoeles is reported. The ratio of anterio to occipital encephalocoeles is high compared to the European series and similar to one from South Africa. These have been studied by CT Scan which has shown the exact anatomy of these abnormalities previously unclear to us. The precise information obtained serves to provide a better planned surgical procedure with better results and reduced operating time and morbidity.
Asunto(s)
Encefalocele/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Preescolar , Encefalocele/epidemiología , Encefalocele/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Zimbabwe/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The book gives an understanding of the way in which neurosurgery is organised and conducted in the Harare Central and Parirenyatwa Hospitals
Asunto(s)
Educación , NeurocirugiaRESUMEN
The book gives an understanding of the way in which neurosurgery is organised and conducted in the Harare Central and Parirenyatwa Hospitals