Neurosurgeons often neglect the sphenoid sinus due to its deep location and difficulties in accessing during surgical interventions. Disease of the sphenoid sinus is difficult to diagnose since its presenting symptoms are difficult to recognize. Moreover, compared with other paranasal sinuses, the sphenoid sinus is considered the most variable air sinus in terms of its degree of pneumatization, number and position of inter-sinus septa, and its relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures. Anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus are significant from a neurosurgical point of view. Understanding of these variations and its relationships with surrounding structures such as the internal carotid artery, optic nerve, and pituitary gland are clinically relevant to minimize injuries associated with surgical procedures that involve sphenoid sinus. We implemented principles of imaging using computed tomography to elucidate any anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus in the Ethiopian population. We conducted a prospective study in 200 patients with ages 18–79, who underwent scans of the sphenoid sinus at the Tikur Anbessa Referral Teaching Hospital in 2017–2018. Our findings revealed an incidence of anatomographical variations in terms of pneumatization that varied between 2–50%. These variants include 2% conchal, 25.5% presellar, 50% sellar, and 22.5% postsellar pneumatization. We also demonstrated anatomographic variants in terms of septation, 77.5% single complete septa, 11.5% single incomplete, 10% double septa, and 1% absence of septa. In summary, the sellar pneumatization was found to be the most clinically relevant anatomographic variant among Ethiopians participating in the study, of which 90% were tomographically single septated. These variants must be taken into consideration during trans-sphenoidal surgery and knowledge of the variations has clinical implication in minimizing injuries during invasive surgical procedures involving the sphenoid sinus.

Background: Neural tube defect (NTD) is a structural defect of the central nervous system of the developing embryo during the first month of developmental process. Most congenital malformations are potentially preventable cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, around 10% of infant mortalities are due to nervous system defects. In Ethiopia there are limited published data regarding the prevalence and established preventive strategy of NTDs. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of NTDs among pregnancy outcomes in Debre Berhan Referral Hospital (DBRH), Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital based retrospective cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted on registration of all pregnancy outcomes from August 30, 2017 to August 30, 2019 at DBRH, Ethiopia. The collected data were checked for completeness and consistencies, and cleaned, coded and entered using Epi data version 4.2 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 for analysis. Variables were interpreted per 1000 pregnancies and those variables having p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The total prevalence of NTDs was 10.9 (95% CI 8.9 to 13.3) per 1000 pregnancies and the prevalence of each NTD type was anencephaly 5.6 (95% CI 4.2 to 7.4) per 1000 pregnancies, spina bifida 3.5 (95% CI 2.4 to 4.9) per 1000 pregnancies, encephalocele 1.1 (95% CI 0.6 to 2.0) per 1000 pregnancies, and both spina bifida and anencephaly 0.7(95% CI 0.3 to 1.4) per 1000 pregnancies. Among livebirths, aborted, stillbirths and medically terminated pregnancies (n = 8862), there were 50 anencephaly cases, 31 spina bifida cases, 10 encephalocele cases, and 6 cases affected by both spina bifida and anencephaly. Conclusion: The prevalence of NTDs in this study was among the highest globally reported. The total prevalence was 10.9 per 1000 pregnancies. Increased periconceptional folic acid use, counseling for women with certain medical illnesses at higher risk for NTDs, and early maternal screening for genetic factors are possible approaches to reduce in NTDs in the population.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy affects about half of all pregnant mothers in developing countries; it is the major causes of indirect maternal mortality. Anaemia can directly cause poor growth of fetus in utero due to inadequate oxygen flow to the placental tissue or it is indirect indicator of maternal nutritional deficiency. Mal-development of placenta is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and an important factor of fetal growth retardation. The aim of this study was to compare histopathological changes of placenta associated with maternal anaemia. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May-June, 2018 in Dessie Referral Hospital. A total of 66 placentas (33 anaemic and 33 non-anaemic) were collected after delivery. EPI data version 4.2.0 was used to enter the data while the data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi-square and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. RESULTS; In pregnancies with maternal anaemia, 75.7% of anaemic placentas terminal villi vessels were increased in number, compared to 15.1% in non-anaemic (p=0.001). Placental calcification was 72.7% in anaemic groups compared to 54% in non-anaemic groups. However, it was insignificant (p=0.12). Intervillous space was wider in anaemic compared to non-anaemic groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS; Chorionic villi capillaries were increased in number, and it was dilated in anaemic placenta, compared to non-anaemic. Intervillous space was significantly wider in anaemic placenta.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy affects about half of all pregnant mothers in developing countries; it is the major causes of indirect maternal mortality. Anaemia can directly cause poor growth of fetus in utero due to inadequate oxygen flow to the placental tissue or it is indirect indicator of maternal nutritional deficiency. Mal-development of placenta is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and an important factor of fetal growth retardation. The aim of this study was to compare histopathological changes of placenta associated with maternal anaemia.METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May-June, 2018 in Dessie Referral Hospital. A total of 66 placentas (33 anaemic and 33 non-anaemic) were collected after delivery. EPI data version 4.2.0 was used to enter the data while the data were analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi-square and oneway ANOVA were used to analyze the data.RESULTS; In pregnancies with maternal anaemia, 75.7% of anaemic placentas terminal villi vessels were increased in number, compared to 15.1% in non-anaemic (p=0.001). Placental calcification was 72.7% in anaemic groups compared to 54% in non-anaemic groups. However, it was insignificant (p=0.12). Intervillous space was wider in anaemic compared to non-anaemic groups (p