ABSTRACT
Background: Congenital anterior abdominal wall defects (CAAWDs) are common congenital abnormalities and their management remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to surgeons practicing in resource-limited setting. We aimed to describe the clinical patterns and short term treatment outcomes of CAAWDs at BMC. Methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study that included all patients aged less than 18 years of age, admitted with CAAWDs at BMC during the period of study. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authorities. Data was collected using a structured, coded and pretested questionnaire and analyzed using STATA version 15. Results: We enrolled a total of 130 patients (M: F ratio= 1.1: 1). The median age at diagnosis was 13.5 months. The majority of patients, 65 (50.0%) were aged ≤ 12 months old. Associated congenital anomalies were reported in 30.4% and 38.5% of cases of omphalocele and gastroschisis respectively. None of the patients had a prenatal diagnosis of CAAWDs. More than half of patients were treated surgically and the remaining were treated non-operatively. Complication rate was 40.8% and sepsis was the most frequent complication in 43% of cases. Prematurity (p = 0.002), low birth weight (p <0.001), gastroschisis (p< 0.001), ASA III (p = 0.005), treatment modality (p < 0.001) and presence of associated congenital anomalies (p = 0.034) were significantly associated with complications. The median length of hospital stay was 15 days and was significantly longer in patients with omphalocele (p < 0.001), associated congenital anomalies (p= 0.001), ASA class III (p= 0.032) and in patients who were treated non-surgically (p < 0.001). The overall mortality rate in this study was 30.0% and it was significantly associated with prematurity (p<0.001), low birth weight (p < 0.001), home delivery (p = 0.025), gastroschisis (p<0.001), treatment modality (p < 0.001), presence of associated congenital anomalies (p < 0.001) and ASA class

ABSTRACT
Background: Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors originating from Schwann cells. While they commonly present as solitary, slow-growing masses in the head and neck, the plexiform or multinodular variant involving the vagus nerve is exceedingly rare, particularly in pediatric patients. Case Description: We report the case of an 11-year-old male who presented with a painless, gradually progressive left-sided neck mass measuring 12 cm x 10 cms over a 6-month period, associated with progressive speech disturbances and dysphagia. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suggested a vagal nerve neurogenic tumor situated within the left parapharyngeal space. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was inconclusive. The patient underwent an en bloc surgical resection of the 10 x 9 cms tumor, which was intraoperatively noted to be continuous with the left vagus nerve. Histopathological examination confirmed a plexiform schwannoma, demonstrating spindle cells arranged in small fascicles with prominent Verocay bodies and nuclear palisading. Transient postoperative left vocal cord paresis and dysphagia occurred but subsequently resolved. Conclusion: Vagal nerve plexiform schwannomas pose significant diagnostic challenges due to their rarity and atypical presentations. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment, requiring a delicate balance between complete oncological resection and the preservation of lower cranial nerve function.

ABSTRACT
Gastric polyps are mucosal lesions protruding into the lumen of the stomach and are increasingly detected due to the widespread use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Although most gastric polyps are benign and asymptomatic, certain subtypes possess malignant potential and may progress to gastric adenocarcinoma. Accurate pathological diagnosis is therefore essential for appropriate clinical management and surveillance. This review summarizes the current understanding of gastric polyps, including epidemiology, classification, histopathological characteristics, malignant potential, and diagnostic considerations according to recent pathological classifications.

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the clinical, radiological, histopathological, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of benign non-odontogenic tumours (BNOTs) in the Chadian context. This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection, conducted between 2023 and 2025 (3 years) in the Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Renaissance University Hospital in N’Djamena for specimen collection and data gathering, and at the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Cytology at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar for the histological analysis of surgical specimens. The study included patients presenting with a benign non-odontogenic tumour confirmed by histopathological examination and who had received treatment. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical, radiological, histopathological, therapeutic and prognostic. Benign non-odontogenic tumours accounted for 26% of all benign maxillomandibular tumours. The mean age was 36.32 ± 21.55 years, with a sex ratio of 1.5. The majority of patients resided in the province of N’Djamena (64%). The middle socio-economic class was affected in 64% of cases. Painless swelling was the predominant symptom (100%). The maxilla was affected in 44% of cases. Mixed forms accounted for 40% of the lesions observed based on radiographic characteristics. Surgical excision of the tumour mass was performed in 56% of patients. Ossifying fibroma was the most common histological type (20%). The outcome was favourable in 92% of cases. One case of death and one case of oro-sinus communication were recorded. The mean follow-up period was 8 ± 5 months. The correlation between clinical and radiological characteristics and histological findings was statistically significant (p=0). This study shows that benign non-odontogenic tumours are relatively common. They are diverse and varied. The diagnostic approach requires a correlation be