Alobar holoprosencephaly in mining-related areas of the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A case series

BACKGROUND

Recent case reports described three cases of holoprosencephaly (HPE) in the area with high mining-related pollution of the southern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We reported two male neonates with clinically diagnosed HPE in the localities of Fizi and Kitutu, two mineral areas in the Eastern region of the same country (DRC), where artisanal surface mining is predominant with high exposure to radiation and heavy metals from mining.

CASES' PRESENTATIONS

Two newborns from adult and multigravida mothers without pregnancy complication. The birth weights were 3,200 g and 2,500 g, respectively, and the malformations noticed were essentially the single median eye, the absent nose, polydactyly for one case, and proboscis for the other case. They both died a few minutes later after birth.

CONCLUSION

The etiologic factors of HPE remain unknown but seem to be multifactorial from both genetic and environmental factors. We hypothesize under reserve for these two cases that mining and radiation expositions were likely potential environmental associated factors to the occurrence of these malformations.

Prostate volume and its relationship with anthropometric variables among different ethnic groups of South-Kivu, DR Congo

Background

The prevalence of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) varies among individuals from different races or ethnic groups. South-Kivu province (DR Congo) has several morphologically different ethnic groups. Our aim was to compare prostate volume and assess its possible association with specific anthropometric measurements among major ethnic groups.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of male subjects, ≥ 40 year old, enrolled in 10 different sites of South-Kivu allowing both easy access and ethnic diversity. We compared urological features, anthropometric parameters, and body fat composition among 979 subjects who met study criteria: Shi (n: 233), Lega (n: 212), Havu (n: 204), Bembe–Fuliru (n: 172), and minority ethnic groups (n: 158).

Results

Prostate volume was statistically different among ethnic groups. Median (interquartile range) size of prostate gland was significantly larger in Lega: 55 (38–81) cc, and smaller in Havu, 20 (17, 24) cc; p < 0.001. Overall, an enlarged prostate (≥ 30 cc) was documented in 91% of Lega men, in 59% of intermediate class men (Shi, Bembe–Fuliru, others), and in a mere 11% of Havu men. In multivariate analysis, prostate volume was significantly associated with age (p < 0.001), ethnic group (p < 0.001), residence (p: 0.046), and fasting blood glucose (p: 0.001). Conversely, prostate volume was neither associated with anthropometric parameters, nor with body fat composition.

Conclusion

Prostatic size varies widely among men from different ethnic origins in South-Kivu. Different genetic determinants and cellular composition of prostatic gland could represent risk factors that need to be examined in forthcoming studies.

Comparison of prostate size and anthropometric parameters between diabetic and non-diabetic Congolese patients who underwent transurethral prostate resection in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Background

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus are prevalent in older men, and both represent a challenge to public health. Prior studies reported a correlation between BPH and (hyper)glycaemia, a component of the metabolic syndrome, which is on the increase in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to rapid modernization. This study was designed to evaluate the association of prostate volume and anthropometric parameters among diabetic and non-diabetic patients who had transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for BPH.

Results

We analyzed data of 159 selected patients who had TURP over a three-year period (February 2014–January 2017) for histologically confirmed BPH. Mean age in the entire cohort was 68 ± 8.5 years. Out of the 159 patients, 94 (59.1%) were non-diabetics and 65 (40.9%) were diabetics. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic group (28.6 ± 4.3 vs 25.6 ± 6.4, and p 0.005; 121.7 ± 45.7 vs 85.4 ± 11.7 mg/dl, and p < 0.001, respectively). BMI and waist circumference were statistically greater in non-diabetics than in diabetics (25.1 ± 3.3 kg/m2 vs 23.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2, and p 0.008; 94.6 cm ± 10.3 vs 90.6 ± 10.4 cm, and p 0.018). Diabetic patients had larger prostate volume than non-diabetic in the working age subgroup only (< 65 years of age); beyond 65 years, this difference was not consistent (62.6 ± 23.1 cc vs 50.1 ± 20.7 cc, and p 0.027; 56.2 ± 23.7 cc vs 49 ± 20.2 cc, and p 0.15, respectively). Prostate size was significantly associated with fasting blood glucose (p = 0.002) and PSA (p = 0.027). However, prostate size was not related to age, presence of diabetes, BMI, waist circumference, IPSS, quality of life score, and duration of symptoms.

Conclusion

Prostate volume is not correlated with anthropometric parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic Congolese patients who had TURP in South Kivu. Diabetics were not obese and yet had larger prostate volume than non-diabetics < 65 years of age. It is hoped that these results would form groundwork for further studies on this topic in SSA region.

Giant true aneurysm of superficial femoral artery in patient with multiple atherosclerotic aneurysms: A case report

True atherosclerotic aneurysms of superficial femoral artery (SFA) are rare and often associated with other peripheral or aortic aneurysms. We report the case of a 84-year-old patient presenting a giant degenerative ruptured aneurysm of the superficial femoral artery. The patient underwent successful aneurysm resection and bypass grafting, with a satisfying long-term follow-up and patency of the graft. The patient was also operated one year before, for a ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. This case report is rare, because we described a case of patient with multiple atherosclerotic aneurysms, who present, for the second time, a life threating ruptured aneurysm. In this report, we see extreme and rapid evolution of SFA Aneurysm before being symptomatic. Degenerative aneurysms of the lower extremity most commonly involve the popliteal artery, while they are rarely detected in the femoral region (Leon et al., 2008). In this region, aneurysms most frequently involve the common femoral artery (CFA), whereas true aneurysms of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) represent only 15% to 25% of femoral arterial aneurysms [1-5]. Degenerative aneurysms of the SFA display peculiar characteristics (in terms of clinical onset, diagnostic timing, and clinical behavior) so that they differ from other peripheral aneurysms. Because the relative rarity of this location, our case report can be useful to participate to increase the number of reported cases, and define the therapeutic approach for this rare location.