Background: Microcardia and cardiomegaly are good diagnostic and prognostic tools for several diseases. This study investigated the distribution of microcardia and cardiomegaly among students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ghana to determine the prevalence of microcardia and cardiomegaly across gender, and to evaluate the correlation between the presence of these heart conditions and age.
Methods: This retrospective study involved a review of 4519 postero-anterior (PA) chest X-rays (CXRs) between 2020 and 2023.
Background: Hemoglobin SC (HbSC) is a common sickle hemoglobinopathy that causes acute complications, chronic organ damage, and early death with no established disease-modifying treatment. In this trial, we examined the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea treatment in patients with HbSC.
Methods: Prospective Identification of Variables as Outcomes for Treatment (PIVOT) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority phase 2 trial in which we assigned children and adults with HbSC in Ghana to 12 months of hydroxyurea or placebo.
HbSC disease is a common form of sickle cell disease with significant morbidity and early mortality. Whether hydroxyurea is beneficial for HbSC disease is unknown. Prospective Identification of Variables as Outcomes for Treatment (PIVOT, Trial ID PACTR202108893981080) is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase II trial of hydroxyurea for people with HbSC, age 5-50 years, in Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Ghana. Mammography and ultrasound have proven benefits in the early detection of breast cancer. This study evaluates mammography, breast ultrasound, and radiology work force availability throughout Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Uterine fibroids locations and sizes, have significant influences on the quality of life of women especially pregnant women and on live birth rate.
Objectives: To determine the anatomical locations and sizes of uterine fibroids and assess any possible associations with age groups.
Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the locations and sizes of a total of 3,542 patients who were ultrasonographically diagnosed with uterine fibroids from January 2019 to December 2021.
Background And Aim: Goiter is a major source of morbidity in the world, especially in the developing world, where dietary iodine deficiency, a known cause of this condition, is endemic. The diagnosis is mostly by ultrasonography (USG) scan, which can give anatomical, pathological, and functional information for the management of goiter. This study aimed to determine the commonest ultrasound findings of goiter in Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital humeroradial synostosis (CHRS) is a rare musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the mobility of the elbow joint. They occur in various types and forms depending on the types and numbers of bones involved at the elbow. CHRS may present with elbow deformity and limitation of function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Facet joint arthrosis is a common radiologic finding but remains controversial as a source of low back pain. We conducted a study to evaluate some of the potential risk factors contributing to the development of facet joint arthrosis, such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). The study aimed at establishing an association between these factors and facet joint arthrosis in the Ghanaian population, as a foundation for further research on low back pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfantile 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Haemoglobin SC (HbSC) is a common form of sickle cell disease (SCD), especially among individuals of West African ancestry. Persons with HbSC disease suffer from the same clinical complications and reduced quality of life that affect those with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS/Sβ). Retrospective anecdotal data suggest short-term safety and benefits of hydroxyurea for treating HbSC, yet rigorous prospective data are lacking regarding optimal dosing, clinical and laboratory effects, long-term safety and benefits, and appropriate endpoints to monitor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies in medicine is advancing rapidly especially in the field of radiology. This however, is at a slow pace in Africa, hence, this study to evaluate the perspectives of Ghanaian radiologists.
Methods: Data for this cross-sectional prospective study was collected between September and November 2021 through an online survey and entered into SPSS for analysis.
Background: Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow in or on the uterus of women. Globally, they occur in more than 80% of women of African ancestry and 70% in white women. Uterine fibroid requires much attention because of its high incidence rate among women of all races and ages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: We sought to determine the clinical presentations and ultrasonographic features of uterine fibroids in adult Ghanaians.
Methods: Between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021, 4279 ultrasound-confirmed cases of uterine fibroids were retrieved. The data obtained, which included age, clinical presentations, and sonographic features were analyzed.
Congenital radioulnar synostosis is a rare musculoskeletal disorder of the elbow, occurring as a result of variable degree and length of the congenital fusion of the proximal radioulnar joint. Patients presents early to the hospital depending on the severity of the synostosis and its effect on elbow function. It may have psychosocial effects on the affected individuals as they grow older especially when the deformity is dramatic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The importance of radiology in this era of evidence-based medicine cannot be disputed. This has resulted in the increase in demand for radiologists. Thus, the issue of whether there would be sufficient numbers of medical students to meet this growing demand needs further probing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParry Romberg syndrome (PRS), also known as progressive hemifacial atrophy, is a very rare self-limiting disease, which affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues, underlying musculature, cartilage, and bony structures of one half of the face with a resultant hemiatrophy and alopecia areata. It presents in children and young adults, with a slow progression of the atrophy for several years, and then becomes stable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of the cranium demonstrates the radiological feature of hemiatrophy very clearly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Chest Computerized Tomography (CT) features of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are nonspecific, variable and sensitive in detecting early lung disease. Hence its usefulness in triaging in resource-limited regions.
Objectives: To assess the pattern of chest CT scan findings of symptomatic COVID-19 patients confirmed by a positive RT-PCR in Ghana.
A retained drainage tube after surgery is rare and patients may be asymptomatic if it occurs. The presence of a retained drainage tube may be first recognized on imaging and this requires a high index of suspicion by radiologists. In this case report, we described an incidental finding of an asymptomatic retained fractured drainage tube in the pelvis of a 32-year-old female on ultrasonography for renal evaluation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the Computed Tomography (CT) patterns of intracranial infarcts.
Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.
Setting: The CT scan unit of the Radiology Department, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), from February 2017 to February 2021.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: 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.
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