Computed Tomography Findings of Patients Presenting With Headache: 4-Year Retrospective Two-Center Study in Central and Western Regions of Ghana.

The radiographic assessment of the head is a crucial part of headache care. A computed tomography (CT) scan enables a more detailed analysis of the condition and more focused care. This study examined head CT scans to determine what kinds of anomalies were present in patients with headaches as their primary complaint.

Intracranial aneurysms in Ghanaian adults.

Objective: To document the location, size, and multiplicity of intracranial aneurysms in Ghanaians who have undergone digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at a single centre in Accra, Ghana.

Design: We conducted a retrospective observational review of the medical records of all patients diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms on DSA.

Setting: Patients' medical records at Euracare Advanced Diagnostic and Heart Centre were reviewed between March 2018 and March 2020.

Incidental ultrasound finding of cholelithiasis in an 8-week-old infant: A case report.

Infantile cholelithiasis is a rare occurrence. It is often diagnosed incidentally during ultrasonography for other conditions as most cases are asymptomatic and may be self-limiting. A few cases may however present with prolonged neonatal or infantile jaundice.

Imaging patterns of the arterial supply of the prostate gland in adult Ghanaian men.

Background: Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) is a novel procedure in West Africa and Ghana. A thorough understanding of the prostate artery's (PA) anatomy and pattern is required for successful prostatic arterial embolization and to guarantee targeted intervention. This study focuses on prostate arterial supply in adult males, including prevalence, variability, and imaging pattern.

Contrast Medium Use in Computed Tomography for Patients Presenting with Headache: 4-year Retrospective Two-Center Study in Central and Western Regions of Ghana.

Background: Contrast medium (CM) administration during computed tomography (CT) enhances the accuracy in the detection and interpretation of abnormalities. Evidence from literature also validate the essence of CM in imaging studies. CT, by virtue of its ubiquity, ease of use, speed, and lower financial footprint, is usually the first investigation in cases of headache.

The assertiveness of final year student radiographers during their clinical practice: A study in Ghana.

Introduction: Speaking up by health professionals is essential for patient safety. To ensure that student radiographers are well equipped in professional practice at the time of graduation, their capacity to speak up openly in the clinical setting is very important. This study assessed student radiographers' ability to speak up in the face of patient safety compromises during their clinical rotation and how it impacts their learning.

Endovascular repair of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm: a seminal case in West Africa.

Unlabelled: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a fatal disease with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. Endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) is associated with remarkable improvement in the morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay relative to open operative repair. We report a 79-year-old man with epigastric pain, which was diagnosed to be due to AAA on a computerised tomography angiogram (CTA).

Follicular thyroid carcinoma with internal jugular vein tumour thrombus.

Unlabelled: Tumour thrombus is the presence of tumour cells in great vessels. The reported incidence of tumour thrombus in thyroid carcinoma is about 0.2-3.

Towards the establishment of national imaging practice guidelines: A preliminary study of the basic computed tomography imaging protocols in Ghana.

Background: There is a need to harmonize imaging practices in computed tomography (CT) imaging. This study, therefore, investigated the variability of the basic imaging protocols used for CT imaging of common indications in Ghana in order to generate recommendations for the development of national imaging practice guidelines in CT imaging.

Method: A cross-sectional study, utilizing a structured online questionnaire, was undertaken (between December 2018 to March 2019) to collect indication-based imaging protocol data (scan coverage, scan series, image quality requirement, slice thickness, reconstruction, scan mode and orientation, required window, AEC usage, scan and breath hold techniques etc.

Variability of redundant scan coverages along the Z-axis and dose implications for common computed tomography examinations.

Background: Scan length optimization is a method of optimization which ensures that, imaging is performed to cover just the area of interest without unnecessarily exposing structures that would not add value to answer a given clinical question.

Purpose: This study assessed the variability and degree of redundant scan coverages along the z-axis of CT examinations of common indications and the associated radiation dose implications in CT facilities in Ghana for optimization measures to be recommended.

Methods: On reconstructed acquired CT images, the study measured extra distances covered above and below anatomical targets for common indications with calibrated calipers across 25 CT facilities.

High degree of prostate related LUTS in a prospective cross-sectional community study in Ghana (Mamprobi).

Background: Changing voiding patterns, volume and frequency, may sometimes be mistaken for anxiety, stress or increase in fluid consumption. In the aging male population, the commencement of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may be silent and perceived as "normal" and unrelated to Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of apparently "silent LUTS" (perceived asymptomatic LUTS) in men in a Ghanaian Community as well as its underlying risk factors.

Audit of the appropriateness of the indication for obstetric sonography in a tertiary facility in Ghana.

Introduction: the use of ultrasound is one of the most vital tools in the management of pregnancies and contributes significantly in improving maternal and child health. Certain indications in pregnancy, guide the obstetrician as to which obstetric scan deems appropriate. The full realization of the benefits of ultrasound depends on whether it is being used appropriately or not, and hence this study aimed at auditing for the appropriate indications for obstetric ultrasound.

Gender and Age Differences in Cardiac Size Parameters of Ghanaian Adults: Can One Parameter Fit All? Part Two.

Background: The cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is a radiographic parameter commonly used in assessing the size of the heart. This study evaluated the gender and age-based differences in the average cardiothoracic ratios, and transverse cardiac diameters (TCD) of adults in Ghana.

Method: Plain chest radiography reports of 2004 patients (without known chest related diseases) generated by two radiologists with at least 15 years' experience from July 2016 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed for this study.

Comparing radiological presentations of first and second strains of COVID-19 infections in a low-resource country.

Introduction: The novel corona virus popularly referred to as COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. In Ghana, the first two cases of COVID-19 infection were recorded on March 13, 2020 with a strain imported from Europe.

Artificial intelligence in medical imaging practice in Africa: a qualitative content analysis study of radiographers' perspectives.

Purpose: Studies have documented the clinical potentials of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging practice to improving patient care. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the perception of radiographers relating to the integration of AI in medical imaging practice in Africa.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative design using an open-ended online instrument administered between March and August 2020.

Radiological determination of the cranial index of present-day Ghanaians.

The cranial index (CI) of Ghanaians is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to measure the CI in a population of Ghanaians in order to classify them against pre-determined CI categories. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 300 normal computed tomography (CT) head scans of adult Ghanaians from the largest hospital in Ghana.

National indication-based diagnostic reference level values in computed tomography: Preliminary results from Ghana.

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop national indication-based DRL values for common indications of adult computed tomography (CT) examinations for clinical application in Ghana.

Materials And Methods: The methodological approach recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Publication 135, for the development of DRLs, was employed. Studies on CT infrastructure, common indications and quality control tests were first undertaken.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stent placement in the palliative management of malignant obstructive jaundice: initial experience in a tertiary center in Ghana.

Introduction: one of the mainstays of management of malignant biliary obstruction is the decompression of the biliary system and its associated obstructive symptoms. Non-surgical palliative treatment such as percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting is desirable in many selected patients. However, this service is often not available in many resource-limited countries.

Falling post-MRI examinations: 2 case reports.

Background: The phenomenon where ambulant patients suffer sudden falls during the process of getting off the couch and walking to the changing room post magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination is uncommon. However, it can be a very disturbing experience for such patients. Therefore, there is the need to effectively support patients to avoid falls when they are getting off the MRI couch when the examination is completed.

Status of Quality Management Systems in Computed Tomography Facilities in Ghana.

Purpose: To assess the status of quality management systems in computed tomography (CT) facilities in Ghana.

Methods: A questionnaire and quality control measurements were used to assess the status of quality management systems in CT facilities in Ghana. Thirty-one CT facilities took part in the study.

An Investigation into the Infrastructure and Management of Computerized Tomography Units in Ghana.

Introduction: In Ghana, there is a need to document computed tomography (CT) infrastructure and management systems for the development of interventions to promote CT practices while ensuring patient protection through the establishment of diagnostic reference levels and improved dose management systems.

Methods: A quantitative inquiry using a descriptive, cross-sectional approach was used to collect data, using a semistructured questionnaire related to CT infrastructure and management from the technical heads responsible for CT scanners. Data collected included the scanner characteristics, basic management system and organizational arrangements, number of attending practitioners, clinical indications for CT examinations, and the operation of CT facilities in Ghana.

Prostatic volume determination by transabdominal ultrasonography: Does accuracy vary significantly with urinary bladder volumes between 50 to 400 mL?

Introduction: In Ghana, trans-abdominal ultrasonography is the main sonographic method of prostatic volume evaluation. The examinations are done when the patient's bladder is full. However, the delay and the discomforting experiences associated with a full bladder have been well documented.