Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the indications and results of exploratory burr hole performed at the Departmental Teaching Hospital of Borgou (Benin). Methods. It was a retrospective study performed from January 2008 to February 2011. It concerned patients with a closed traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which an exploratory burr hole was performed. The selection criteria were unilateral mydriasis associated with neurological deficits on the opposite side or the occurrence of a decreased consciousness associated with the appearance of a motor deficit after a lucid interval. Results. Amongst the 74 patients operated, 23 (31%) underwent an exploratory burr hole for which the average age was 24.8 ± 17.3 years. Sex ratio male/female was 3.6. TBI was due to road traffic accident (56.5%), a fall (26.1%), and an assault (17.4%). It was severe (47.8%), moderate (39.1%), and mild (13.1%). Mydriasis was observed in 69.6% of cases as well as neurological deficit in all patients. A lesion was observed in 15 (65.2%) cases. Conclusion. The exploratory burr hole seemed as an old practice, still no longer performed in full practice in Benin, and is a diagnosis and therapeutic approach. Better technical conditions would allow more relevant therapeutic options.
Background & Aim:Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition. This congenital or acquired stenosis has multiple etiologies. The goal of this study was to describe intraoperative pathoanatomic findings of lumbar spinal stenosis observed within a black African population. African patients who underwent surgery for LSS were included. Intra operative aetiologies were recorded. Patients with extruded lumbar discopathy were excluded. Results: During study period, 199 patients were selected. It was 109 men (54.8%) and 90 women (42.2%). Patients mean age was 53.2 years ± 10.96, mean weight 77.11kg ± 14.37 and mean height 171 cm ± 8.64cm. The LSS was acquired in 157 patients (78.9%), congenital in 29 (14.6%) and in 13 cases (6.5%) it was mixed origin. A hypertrophyof ligamentum flavum was observed in 101 patients (50.8%), zygapophyseal joint hypertrophy in 15 cases (7.2%) and in 74 cases (37.2%) the two factors were associated. A disc bulge were observed in 9 cases (4.5%) Conclusion: The ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is the main cause of LSS in black Africans. Studies to determine the mechanism of hypertrophy will be useful in order to initiate preventive treatment.
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