Background & Objective: Tetanus remains an important health problem in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. It is associated with a high mortality rate, it is therefore necessary to identify predictors of mortality with the view to reducing the mortality rate. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of all adult tetanus patients managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital between Jan 2004 to Dec 2009 were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 146 patients were identifi ed during the study period, out of which complete information was obtained in 126 patients. All the patients had generalized tetanus. There were 93 (73.8%) males and 33 (26.2%) females. Their age ranged between 17 and 62 with mean age of 35.2. Two fi fth (39%) of the patients were in the age group of 21 – 30 years. The risk factors of high mortality were: age >40 years, incubation period <48 hours, onset <48 hours, absence of previous tetanus immunization, evidence of autonomic dysfunction, and severity. Mortality was not related to fever and gender. Binary logistic model revealed that severity of tetanus at presentation was the most signifi cant (p= 0.029) prognostic factor to mortality. Conclusion: The mortality rate of adult tetanus in Northwestern Nigeria is high. Several risk factors for high mortality have been identifi ed.

Background: Occurrence of epileptic seizure in patients with brain tumors is not uncommon. In spite of the huge data from the developed world on epilepsy caused by brain tumor, there is paucity of data emanating from Nigeria, hence, this study. Methods: The cases were recruited from a total of 302 consecutive patients with late onset epilepsy, with fi rst episode of seizure after 25 years of age, from three tertiary centres in northern and southern Nigeria. Information was collected on the demography, seizure characteristics, and additional neurological, cognitive or behavioral symptoms. All the patients had EEG and neuroimaging. Results: Sixty six patients, comprising 48 males (73%) and 18 females (27%) had symptomatic seizure from brain tumor which constituted 21.9 % of patients. Seizure was the only symptom in 27.3% and the fi rst symptom in 36.4% of the patients. Forty fi ve (68.2%) patients had focal seizure. The most common histological type was low grade astrocytoma. Common EEG fi ndings were epileptiform discharges (54.5%) and focal slowing (24.2%). EEG was normal in 10.6% of the patients. Conclusion: Seizure as the initial symptom was common among Nigerian patients with brain tumor presenting as late onset epilepsy. Gliomas were the most common brain tumor. There is need to investigate for tumor in Nigerian patients presenting with late onset epilepsy.

Background: Tuberculosis was a leading cause of mortality in the beginning of the twentieth century. However, it continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological profi le of tuberculosis of the spine in northern Nigeria. Methods: Eighty seven patients with tuberculosis of the spine were studied for 4 years, the patients were recruited from in and outpatient Neurology Clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and Murtala Muhammed specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano. Clinico-radiologic evaluation was carried out. Results: Eighty seven patients were recruited. There were 57 males and 30 females (M : F = 2 : 1), their age ranged between 15 – 70 years and the mean age was 41.3 + SD 15.2. Farmers were mostly affected (23%). Seventy fi ve percent of the patients presented more than 2 months after the onset of the illness. Paraplegia/paraparesis, sensory impairment over the lower limbs (100%) and back pain (90.8%) were the most common features. Nine (13.4%) patients had cauda equina syndrome and 3 (3.4%) had cold psoas abscess. Ten (11.5%) patients had been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis previously, 10 (11.5%) patients had concomitant pulmonary TB. Fifty eight (66.7%) patient had paraplegia. Twenty (23%) patients had normal fi nding on spinal X-ray. Conclusion: Tuberculosis of the spine is a common cause of morbidity in Northwestern Nigeria. Thus, there is increasing need to improve on the prevention of this disabling disorder.