Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Patients with Infertility in South Eastern Nigeria

Background:Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is still an integral part of gynecological evaluation of infertile couple and its value has not been underestimated in moderngynecological practice; especially in developing countries. The study aims to evaluate the findings at HSG in patients presenting with infertility at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital;Abakaliki; Southeastern Nigeria. A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive HSG results of patients presenting with infertility was done between January 2005-April 2008. Their clinical records and radiological findings were analyzed for demographic data; and cervical; uterine and tubal; pathology. Results: The commonest age group was between 25 -34 years. Sixty-five percent presented with secondary infertility while 35presented with secondary infertility. Hysterosalpingographic findings were abnormal in 80of patients (primary infertility 20and secondary infertility 60). Bilateral tubal blockage and bilateral fimbrial adhesion were the commonest tubal factor abnormalities while intracavitary mass impression and cervical synechia were the commonest findings for uterine and cervical factor abnormalities respectively. Conclusion:Tubal blockage and tubal factor infertility are still common among infertile couples. This may probably be due to chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or pelvic infection following sexually transmitted infections; mismanaged pregnancies and septic abortions; as most of the patients presented with secondary infertility. Measures to prevent the occurrence of these infections are highlighted

Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Patients with Infertility in South Eastern Nigeria

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is still an integral part of gynecological evaluation of infertile couple and its value has not been underestimated in modern gynecological practice; especially in developing countries.The study aims to evaluate the findings at HSG in patients presenting with infertility at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital;Abakaliki; Southeastern Nigeria. A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive HSG results of patients presenting with infertility was done between January 2005-April 2008. Their clinical records and radiological findings were analyzed for demographic data; and cervical; uterine and tubal; pathology.The commonest age group was between 25 -34 years. Sixty-five percent presented with secondary infertility while 35presented with secondary infertility. Hysterosalpingographic findings were abnormal in 80of patients(primary infertility 20and secondary infertility 60). Bilateral tubal blockage and bilateral fimbrial adhesion were the commonest tubal factor abnormalities while intracavitary mass impression and cervical synechia were the commonest findings for uterine and cervical factor abnormalities respectively. Tubal blockage and tubal factor infertility are still common among infertile couples. This may probably be due to chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or pelvic infection following sexually transmitted infections; mismanaged pregnancies and septic abortions; as most of the patients presented with secondary infertility. Measures to prevent the occurrence of these infections are highlighted

Sonographic Evaluation of Cervical Length Changes during Normal Pregnancy

This study was aimed to establish reference values of cervical length in normal pregnancy. We studied a cross-sectional sample of 144 pregnant women by transabdominal sonography. The inclusion criteria were sonographic confirmation of gestational age; the absence of any risk factors for preterm birth; and uncomplicated pregnancy. Cervical length was measured in a straight line. Height; age and weight of patients were also obtained. There was a relationship between gestational age and cervical length; which could be described with a linear regression (R = 0.44; P0.05). Our study shows an increase in cervical length with gestational age. Reference ranges constructed for the whole gestational period could be more clinically applicable and useful than a single cut off value for more efficient prevention and management of preterm birth

Radiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-positive and HIV-negative adult patients in south-eastern Nigeria

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common clinical presentation of tuberculosis. This study was carried out to appraise the radiological features of PTB in adult HIV-positive and HIV-negative pa-tients. The chest radiographs of the patients were evaluated in the tuberculosis, leprosy, and endemic disease (TBL) clinic, Ebonyi State University Teach-ing Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki, south-eastern Nigeria, from April 2004 to June 2006. Of the total of 117 individuals studied, 68 (58.1) were males and 49 (41.8%) females, indicating a male preponderance of 1.4:1. Up to 49.6% of the subjects had PTB/HIV co-infection. The highest prevalence of PTB/HIV co-infection was recorded among males aged 31­40 (12.8%), and females aged 21­30 (11.1%). The com-monest radiological features observed were cavitory lesions (64.1%), patchy opacities (44.4%), and hilar opacities (38.5%). Bilateral cavitory lesions, patchy opacities and hilar opacities were more prominent than the right-sided or left-sided ones and appeared more frequently among individuals with PTB/HIV co-infection. Perihilar patchy opacities, consolidation and pleural effusion were seen in 19.6%, 6.0%, and 4.3% of all cases, respectively. There was no statisti-cally significant difference in the association between the radiological features and patient category (χ2 = 17.74, df = 18, p = 0.47). The chest radiography re-mains an important tool in the diagnosis of PTB and will continue to provide essential information for the management and follow-up of patients