Search

Summary. An account is given of an unusual presentation of solitary Histoplasmosis duboisii of the jaw simulating a malignant neoplasm. This report is of interest for two reasons: firstly, the rarity of such a presentation and secondly, the extensive search of the literature which has failed to produce another case. The rationale for our treatment is also briefly discussed.

The clinicoradiologic features and surgical treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the jaws in forty-seven Nigerian patients are described. Marked facial deformity and functional disturbances were the main indications for operation. We noticed one case of malignant transformation. It is our opinion that a more-than-usual aggressive excision is indicated in Nigerian patients.

The records of the Cancer Registry of University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, were reviewed for the incidence of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor from 1961 – 1982. Thirteen cases of the tumor were found. Clinical, histologic, and radiologic features of the 13 cases are reported. Many features were similar to previous reports of this tumor, but an increased ratio of males to females and preference for the mandible was observed. It is suggested that these factors may be peculiar to Nigerians. A few cases showed an unusual posterior location of tumor.

The radiographs of twenty-five patients (eight males, seventeen females) with histologically proven craniofacial fibrous dysplasia were analyzed. The lesions could be classified into six radiologic types: (1) peau d'orange, (2) whorled plaquelike, (3) diffuse sclerotic, (4) cystlike (multilocular or unilocular), (5) pagetoid, and (6) chalky types. The peau d'orange type was by far the most common (40 per cent) followed by the plaquelike (20 per cent, cystlike (16 per cent), and sclerotic (12 per cent). Most of the patients were young, with 60 per cent being underthe age of 20 years and 96 per cent under the age of 40 years.

From 1960 to 1983 a total of 14 cases of chondrosarcoma of the jaws were treated at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 55 years (average age, 35 years), and nine of the patients were male. Six of the lesions were located in the maxilla and eight in the mandible. Most of the patients presented too late in the course of the disease to benefit from treatment; only one is known to be still alive.

The surgical complications in 68 mandibular resections performed for giant ameloblastoma are reviewed. The overall mortality rate was low because the majority of the patients were young and the operations were elective.

Twenty-one patients with osteogenic sarcoma were treated at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, during the period from 1960 to 1984. Six of the 21 patients were younger than 20 years of age, and there was a predominance of male patients in the series. The maxilla was involved more frequently than the mandible. Surgery was the only treatment available. All of the patients are presumed to be dead.

Summary Osteogenic sarcoma is a relatively rare tumour of the jaw. Seven cases seen within a periodof 14 years in our hospital are presented. The diagnosis and treatment of osteogenic sarcoma of the jaws are briefly discussed.

A review of 34 consecutive cases of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible in adults seen at our clinic is presented. Periodontal disease was the main contributory factor while staphylococcus aureus was the commonest infecting organism. The lesions were readily diagnosed and were treated by sequestrectomy under antibiotic cover.

SUMMARY It is important to emphasize that basal cell carcinoma occurs in black Africans, a fact denied in some reports. The present study shows that the disease appears to behave more aggressively in the African, particularly in albinos, than in Caucasians. In albinos preventive measures should be employed regularly.