Main Article Content

Urolithiasis in Sokoto, North–Western Nigeria


IA Mungadi
IO Ntia
WEk Opara
AA Sani

Abstract

Aim: The patterns of urolithiasis differ widely with marked periodic, seasonal, regional and racial variations in susceptibility to the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and management of stone disease in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria.

Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of urolithiasis treated at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital from 1997 to 2003. Chemical Compositions of 50 lower tract stones were also determined.

Results: A total of 121 patients were treated during the study period. The Hospital incidence was 25.75 per 100,000. Children aged 15 years and below constituted 24.0% of cases and in 10 (18.0%) adults the stones were traceable to early childhood. The male to female ratio was 23.1:1. The stones were solitary in 62.0% of cases and located in the bladder in 44.5% of patients. In 94% of patients there were no identifiable causative factors. Open surgical procedures were performed in the treatment of 74.0% of patients. All the stones were heterogeneous in chemical composition and the majority, 74%, contained uric acid/urate.

Conclusion: Majority of stones in Sokoto North Western Nigeria were heterogeneous, solitary and primary bladder stones in young males; a pattern similar to that observed in endemic bladder stone regions. Facilities for minimally invasive stone surgery are recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality from stone disease.

Keywords: urolithiasis, endemic pattern, North-Western Nigeria

Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 9(1) 2006: 10-14

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1118-8561