LUIR :: Browsing by Author "Pecorella, Irene"

Browsing by Author "Pecorella, Irene"

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A 10 years Trend of Peptic Ulcer Disease and other Gastrointestinal Disorders in Northern Uganda
(East and Central African Journal of Surgery, 2016) Okello, Tom Richard; Ogwang, David Martin; Pecorella, Irene
Background: The changing trend of GI disorders has not been expounded in our setting, there is need to examine the extent to which major endoscopically diagnosed upper GI disorders have changed in the last 10 years (2005 to 2015). Methods: This was a retrospective study in which endoscopically diagnosed GI disorders of Jan-Jun 2005 were compared with 2015 (10 years) for the same period Results: In the 10 years (2005 to 2015), the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) reduced from 9.6% to 2.9% (P value 0.000), followed by esophageal varices from 10.3% to 4.0%, and duodenitis from 3.2% to 0.7% respectively. Gastritis increased from 18.4% to 48.2% (P value 0.000), followed by cancer esophagus from 3.2% to 5.1%. Conclusion: As the prevalence of PUD decreases in our community, gastritis increases hence patients with upper GI symptoms tend to suffer gastritis thus clinicians should focus on treating gastritis and eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Barriers and Factors Affecting Personal Protective Equipment Usage in St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Northern Uganda
(East and Central African Journal of Surgery, 2017) Okello, Tom Richard; Kansime, K; Odora, J; Apio, J A; Pecorella, Irene
Background: To protect health workers (HCWs) from risky occupation exposure, CDC developed the universal precautions (Ups) including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). However compliance to it by HCWs has remained poor even in high-risk clinical situation. The objective of this study was to identify and describe the factors that influence a HCWs’ decision to wear PPEs and the barriers that exist in preventing their use Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in all the wards to collected quantitative information as well as qualitative and observational data on PPE use Results: Out of the total 59 respondents, 2% do not know the purpose of PPE, 23.7% do not know how to don and doff PPEs, 13.6% do not use PPE even when indicated and 10% are not using an appropriate PPE. The main barriers relates to poor fitting and weak domestic gloves, few of aprons, frequent stock out and inadequate PPE as well as lack of training in PPE Conclusion: This study provides a baseline for measuring the effectiveness of interventions to improve compliance.
Bilateral proptosis as an early manifestation of juvenile myelomonocitic leukemia in an African child
(Indian Journal of Pathology and Oncology, 2021) Pecorella, Irene; Nunzia, Manna; Valeria, Calbi; Omona, Venice; Okello, Tom Richard
We report bilateral proptosis as the unusual initial presentation of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia in a Ugandan child. Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed with complete blood count and bone marrow aspiration biopsy. This is the first description of orbital involvement occurring in the setting of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, despite leukemic orbital infiltration is relatively common in the middle East, Asia, and Africa. In general, simultaneous neoplastic involvement of both orbits at presentation is also a rare finding, bur appears to be highly likely in leukemic children. © This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Case Report: Biloma gastrostomy after failed sonogram-guided percutaneous aspiration, pigtail catheter insertion and surgical drainage [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]
(AAS Open Research, 2019) Okello, Tom Richard; Ocen, Davidson; Okello, Jimmy; Pecorella, Irene; Amone, Derrick
Bilomas are rare abnormal extrabiliary accumulation of bile. This can be either intrahepatic or extrahepatic following traumatic or spontaneous rupture of the biliary tree. The commonest causes of biloma are surgery, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, transcatheter arterial embolization and abdominal trauma. We report here a 15 year old patient whom we followed for over 10 years. His chief complaints were right hypochondriac pain, loss of appetite and vomiting. Initial clinical presentation, sonographic as well as laboratory findings suggested a liver abscess, which was drained, but the definitive diagnosis of biloma was entertained after sonographically guided percutaneous aspirations and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography 7 years later. We also discuss the role of imaging and surgical challenges encountered that culminated into bilomo-gastrostomy. The patient is now enjoying a peaceful life.
An Evaluation of 605 Endoscopic Examination in a Rural Setting, Lacor Hospital in Northern Uganda
(British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 2016) Okello, Tom Richard; Ogwang, D. M; Alema, N. O.; Pecorella, Irene
Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of esophagogastroduodenal (EGDS) diseases diagnosed by upper endoscopy in a rural area of Uganda in a retro-protective study of 605 patients. Results: The mean age of patients with digestive symptoms was 39.7yrs (SD +/-16.11) and female gender predominated by 60% compared to the male (P value 0.000). Peasant farmers were the commonest group with GI symptoms requiring EGDS compared to the rest 72.1% v 27.9%. Epigastric pain was the commonest indication (58%) for EGDS, followed by chest pain (11%), abdominal pain (8.8%), dyspahgia (7.6%) and hematemesis (7.3%). The commonest endoscopy finding was gastritis (47.9%) followed by esophagitis (14.4%), cancer esophagus (5.1%), esophageal varicose (4%), PUD (2.3%), gastric cancer (1%). However 19.5% of patients had normal EGDS. There was a significant correlation between the outpatient diagnosis and endoscopy finding (P value 0.01, r = 0.144) and between endoscopy finding and histology findings (P value 0.001, r = 0.236). H. pylori was positive in 53% of patients with gastritis. Conclusion: Gastritis is the commonest lesion (47.9%) of which 53% have H pylori and Cancer esophagus account for 5.1% of GI lesion in our setting. Cancer stomach is rare in our setting.
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the head and neck. Literature review and report of the tonsil occurrence in a Ugandan patient
(Pathologica, 2017) Pecorella, Irene; Okello, Tom Richard; Ciardi, G; Ochola, E; Ogwang, David Martin
We report a case of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) in a 60-year-old Ugandan female who presented with a 6-year history of a progressive left sided tonsillary mass. General systemic examination was unrevealing and the patient underwent left tonsillectomy. She was subsequently lost to follow-up. Grossly, the mass measured 6 cm in diameter and had a mottled appearance due to tissue microhaemorrhages. Markers specific for follicular dendritic cell differentiation (CD21, CD35 and CD23), p53 and EGFR were expressed on immunohistochemical analysis. Review of all of the 49 published reports of tonsil FDCS showed that this entity tended to occur at younger age (mean: 44.5 yrs) in women than in men (mean: 49.4 yrs). Tumour size ranged from 0.8 to 5 cm in maximum dimension (mean 2.9 cm). Only 12.2% of the patients presented with metastatic disease at initial diagnosis, all localised in the cervical lymph nodes. Local or distant recurrences occurred after a mean period of 72.5 months. In conclusion, although the pertinent literature suggests that FDCS should be considered at least of intermediate grade, our review indicates that FDCS of the tonsil region behaves as a low-grade sarcoma.
Intestinal intussusception in an adult caused by helminthic parasitosis
(PAGEPress, Italy, Gastroenterology Insights 2016; 7:6469, 2016) Pecorella, Irene; Okello, Tom Richard; Ogwang, David Martin; Opira, Cyprian
Intestinal intussusception is an uncommon acute condition in adults and is most commonly caused by an intestinal tumor mass. Helminthic parasitosis is a widespread infection in Africa, and the load of worms is often high in individuals living in areas with inadequate sanitation. We report a case of intestinal obstruction caused by Ascaris lumbricoides infection, which was complicated by ileo-caecal intussusception and required surgical treatment in a 40-year-old Ugandan woman. This case reinforces the importance of anthelminthic prophylaxis in African rural areas.
Intrahepatic Pregnancy - A Rare Form of Abdominal Pregnancy at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Northern Uganda; a Case Report and Literature Review.
(International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Invention, 2020) Odur, Andrew; Okello, Tom Richard; Okii, Richard; Obbo, John Stephen Olwenyi; Pecorella, Irene
Primary intra-hepatic pregnancy is an extremely rare condition. The purpose of this study was to report a case of 24-year-old Gravida 2 para 1+0 who presented at 35 weeks of amenorrhea with vaginal bleeding and mild right upper abdominal tenderness. Ultrasonography revealed a non-viable extra-uterine fetus located around the right upper part of the abdomen with a bulky uterus. Laparotomy was preferred in view this clinical dilemma and a fetus free abdominal cavity and uterus was observed, a macerated female baby was delivered from inside the liver with birth weight of 2.7kilogram. Placenta was left in situ and methotrexate given to hasten its resorption. Maternal outcome during the 18 days of intense follow up was uneventful. This case is a rare occurrence in our setting and it has diagnostic challenges in low resource settings like ours, however intra-hepatic pregnancy can grow to considerable size and weight.
Is Gastric Involvement by Strongyloides stercoralis in an Immunocompetent Patient a Common Finding? A Case Report and Review of the Literature
(Acta Parasitologica, 2021) Pecorella, Irene; Okello, Tom Richard; Ciardi, Gaia; Ogwang, David Martin
Purpose Gastric infection with Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. The unexpected observation of this parasite in an otherwise healthy young lady who had undergone upper endoscopy and biopsy sampling of the gastro-duodenal mucosa, prompted us to review the literature to ascertain the conditions favouring gastric colonization by SS. Methods Pathology files of gastroduodenal biopsies received at St. Mary’s hospital, Northern Uganda, between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed. Pubmed search was performed under the headings “Strongyloides stercoralis”, “Gastric parasitosis”. Results Histology of the only gastroduodenal biopsy with SS infection showed parasite eggs, immature rhabditiform larvae, and numerous adult worms in gastric pits and rhabditiform larvae in interepithelial parasitic tunnels, causing reactive changes of the glandular epithelium. There was no significant acute inflammatory cell infiltrate surrounding the parasites. Literature review showed that gastric SS infection appears to be very uncommon and was, as expected, largely prevalent in immunodeficient individuals (84.2% of published cases). The rare gastric SS infection is a complication of systemic strongyloidiasis, either hyperinfective, or disseminated form. It is also commonly associated with duodenal infection at microscopical examination. Conclusion Involvement of gastric mucosa in the absence of duodenal strongyloidiasis appears to be quite rare and falsenegative histopathological exams are reported if only the stomach is biopsied.

Browsing by Author "Pecorella, Irene"

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