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Daramola JO, Adesuyi FE, Olugbadieye OG, Akinbowale AS, Adekunle VAJ. 2020. Rate of timber harvest and the effects of illegal activities on forest conservation in Southwestern Nigeria. Asian J For 5: 8-16. Availability of accurate data on timber harvest is very important for sustainable forest management. These data are not readily available, making forest management more complex. This study aimed at investigating the rate of timber harvest, illegal activities and its impacts on forest conservation in Osun State Forest Reserves. The selected reserves were Shasha Forest Reserve (SFR), Ago-Owu Forest Reserve (AFR), and Ikeji-Ipetu Forest Reserve (IFR). Data were collected using two sets of semi-structured questionnaires. One for the forest community dwellers and the other for forest officers. Simple random sampling was used to select 120 respondents from the population of concessionaires, saw millers, rural community dwellers, taungya farmers and the government officers in the study area. Secondary data was collected and compiled from the State Forestry Department to provide results for timber harvested only in SFR from January to July, 2019. The results revealed that SFR is under massive timber exploitation, as illegal logging and timber processing are the most prevalent driver of exploitation in this area; while AFR and IFR are degraded forest reserves marred with grazing and poaching, and illegal logging, respectively. The impacts of the illegal activities on forest conservation were categorized under economic, social, and environmental impacts. The most exploited species in SFR were Celtis spp. (3024 stems), Ricinodendron heudelotii (1789 stems), and the least exploited was Anthocleista spp. (3 stems). The study showed that many economic tree species that contribute to national development and rural livelihood have been exploited from the study sites and therefore recommend that timber harvest be carried out on a sustainable basis.

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 records of sixteen patients under 18 years of age with ameloblastoma of the jaws treated at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, within the last 10 years were examined. In fifteen of the sixteen cases, the tumor was found in the mandible, with the symphysis being affected in seven cases. The ease with which the monocystic type of the tumor may be confused with a dentigerous cyst is pointed out. The different methods of treatment of ameloblastoma of the jaws in children are 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.

Two cases of congenital hemifacial hypertrophy are described. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this syndrome in a black African population. Possible diagnostic problems are highlighted.

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.

Giant-cell tumor of the jaw presents difficulty in diagnosis. It is rare in the head and neck regions and may resemble, clinically and histologically, other types of jaw lesion. However, histologic study may distinguish this lesion from a giant-cell granuloma, an osteogenic sarcoma, and most epulides. Adequate surgical excision with a long-term follow-up is the recommended treatment of choice.

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.

Summary The pattern of oral cancer in a Nigerian population is described. Unlike the benign tumours of the jaws, this disease is relatively rare. It is, however, invariably lethal, mostly as a result of late presentation by the patients. At the present time, no aetiological factor can be identified amongst the population.