Evaluation of renal functions using isotopic renogram and biochemical tests

Radionuclide renography is now very important diagnostic tool comparable to other diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of renal diseases. This study was carried out to assess the role of radionuclide renography and biochemical test in the evaluation of the renal function. A total of 50 samples with a history of renal disease were included in this study. Out of a total 50, 31 were males and 19 were females, their age ranged between 9 and 79 years and most of the patients were in the age group above 46 years, weight ranged from 22 to 97 kg, mean [standard deviation [SD]] 67.32 [17.203]. Height ranged from 125 to 185 cm, mean [SD] 163.07 [12.573]. Radionuclide renography and biochemical test were done for all patients in the Radiation and Isotope Center of Khartoum in the period from March 2011 to October 2011. In case of radionuclide renography, total glomerular filtration rate [GFR] ranged from 6.64 to 130.70, mean [SD] 65.87 [31.30] and the biochemical test showed that [10%] of patients with abnormal serum creatinine level and [12%] with abnormal serum urea level. The serum urea level was normal in 44 patients, but in the renogram 19 patients were abnormal [both kidneys GFR], 14 patients were abnormal [right kidney GFR] and 8 patients were abnormal [left kidney GFR]. A total of 45 patients had normal serum creatinine level, but in the renogram 18 patients were abnormal [both kidneys GFR], 16 patients were abnormal [right kidney GFR] and 8 patients were abnormal [left kidney GFR]. It is concluded that both isotopes renogram technique and biochemical test are very important in the evaluation of renal function

Radiation dose measurements during hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography [HSG] is an effective method to evaluate abnormalities of the uterus and fallopian tube using conventional X-ray or fluoroscopy. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the radiation dose for females undergoing HSG during the reproductive period. This study conducted in three radiology departments: Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Alneelain Diagnostic Center and Asia Specialized Hospital. A total of 50 patients was studied from three hospitals, 20 patients from Neelain Diagnostic Center in range of [25-40] years, 20 patients from Omdurman teaching Hospital in age range from [24 to 43] years. The study duration was carried out for a period of 3 months, from March 2011 to June 2011. Patient dose measurements were performed using unfors dosimeter. Organ dose and effective doses were estimated using National Radiological Protection Board software. The mean patient dose was 20.1 and 28.9 and 13. 6 Omdurman Teaching Hospital, Neelain Diagnostic Center and Asia Specialized Hospital, respectively. Ovaries and uterus have the highest dose compared to other organs. The results of this study are higher compared with previous studies

Computed tomography evaluation of paranasal sinuses lesions

The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of computed tomography scan in the diagnosis of sinuses diseases. This was a cross-sectional study design, conducted in different hospitals and clinical centers at Khartoum State. Totally 26 males and 24 females aged ranges from 10 to 70 years old with different symptoms were selected, axial and direct coronal cuts were done for all cases. The study revealed that most patients were affected in the both sides, with a history of sinuses diseases in their families, maxillary sinuses are the most affected area, and most patients suffer from headache. Chronic and fungal sinusitis the sensitivity of the coronal view was [77%, 61%, and 61%] respectively compared to axial that was [22%, 36%, and 38%] respectively In the nasal polyp and granulomatous diseases, the efficiency of the coronal view was [62% and 65%] respectively, while in axial was [37% and 34%] respectively. In benign and malignant tumor the efficiency of coronal was 57% and 32% respectively, while in the axial view was [42% and 21%] respectively. This study concluded that the two image planes are performed together and used as an essential technique of peripheral nerve stimulation

Local reference ranges of thyroid hormones in Sudanese normal subjects using RIA

The current study aimed to establish a local reference range of thyroid related hormones using Radio-immunoassay [RIA] in healthy adults Sudanese volunteers. Serum levels of thyroxine [T4], triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], were measured in 40 healthy subjects. The reference range of thyroid related hormones level [mean +/- 2SD] was found to be as follows: T3 =1.38 +/- 2 [0.5] n mole/ L, T4= 132.5 +/- [44.0] nmol/L and TSH= [mean +/- SD] 1.20 +/- 0.82 mU/L. The results showed that no correlation was found between thyroid related hormones versus body height, and weight. A local reference range of thyroid related hormones was established and could be used instead of those were in use before

Sonographic features of benign and malignant breast[s] masses in Sudanese ladies at Khartoum State [Sudan]

Breast ultrasound can image several different types of breast conditions, including both benign [non-cancerous] and malignant [cancerous] lesions. Ultrasound is frequently used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening mammography or diagnostic mammography or during a physician performed clinical breast exam. This study was conducted with the aim of investigate ultrasonographic features in differentiate benign from malignant breast masses and whether this distinction could be definite enough to obviate biopsy. Fifty four Sudanese ladies with breast nodules were sonographically classified as benign and malignant masses according to their different sonographic features which are: character, internal echogenicity, margins, sonographic artifacts [posterior echo]. Sonographic classifications about the nature of the lesions were compared with fine needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] findings. Sonographic features that characterize suspicious breast nodules as benign were [cystic, solid and complex] character, [Isoechoic, hypoechoic and Hyperechoic] internal echogenicity, [smooth] margins and [posterior acoustic enhancement] as posterior echo artifact whiled sonographic features of suspicious malignancy nodules were [solid] character, [hypoechoic] internal echogenicity, [irregular] margins and [shadowing] as posterior echo artifact. These obtain results about the characteristics sonographic features and the natures of breast nodule were confirmed as accurate results by biopsy. Findings indicate that specific sonographic features can be helpful in differentiate benign from malignant breast[s] lesions, also sonography can be use widely and accurately so to prevent unncecessary biopsies

Evaluation of radiology request forms in diagnostic centers in Khartoum state

The x-ray request form is an essential tool for communicating patient data and clinical indication from the referring physicians to radiologic departments and reduction of unnecessary radiation dose to the patient. This study aimed to evaluate the applied x-ray request form formula and to compare between the applied and standard request forms in different radiology departments. Numbers of elements of x-ray request form to be evaluated were assessed and questionnaire forms for technologist and physicians were distributed and data were analyzed using simple statistical method [percentage]. The results of the evaluation of the applied x-ray request form filling elements including [patient full name, age, sex, history, condition, clinical indication, LMP, date of the examination previous x-ray exams, Physician name and clearness of requested exam] were found to be 80%, 60%, 60%, 30%, 30%, 100%, 100% respectively. The total results filling of evaluation of all patient information of 50 x-ray request forms were 50.67%, 26.18%, 28%, 21.09%, 18.18%, 55.9% and 60.03 respectively. This study concluded that providing patients data and clinical indication on the x-ray request form is of vital importance regarding the answers of technologists and physicians in the questionnaire. Regarding to the result it showed that the method of filling patient information in x-ray request form by the referring physicians in addition to the formula of x-ray request form that were applied in Khartoum state hospitals should be reviewed

Evaluation of thyroid nodules in patients with goitre using nuclear medicine, biopsy and ultrasound in Sudan

Goiter is a common thyroid disorder in Sudan. Most of thyroid nodules are benign, but a small percentage can be cancerous among the other pathology. The aims of this study were to assess the value of scintigraphy, ultrasound [US] and biopsy in the detection of nodules and to determine the prevalence of thyroid nodule among patients with thyroid goiter in Sudan. A total of 100 patients were investigated. 58 patients were investigated with biobsy in addition to the aforementioned techniques. Scintigraphic examination involved the intravenous injection of 2-5 mCi of Tc[99m] followed in 15 minutes by 300 kC at the neck, US was performed using an instruments with a 7.5 MHz and biopsy was carried either by Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy [FNAB] or open operation. The majority of the patients were females [81%]. Scintigraphy revealed that 58% of the patients had nodular goiter while the rest had diffuse goiter. The highest incidence of nodules was shown in the age group between 40-60 [23%]. US revealed that 48% of the nodules were solitary. Furthermore, 78% the nodules none vascularized, 29% were calcified and 28% were hypoechoic. The biopsy results showed that 14% of nodular patients were malignant, 88% follicular adenocarcinoma. 36% had nodular goiter with cystic or degenerative changes. The highest percentage of malignancy could be attributed to the fact that patients referred to the hospital in a late stage of the disease. All patients with giotre should undergo US and NM investigation in order to detect the morphology and function of the thyroid

Reduction of radiation doses to patients and staff during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde Cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] is associated with a considerable radiation exposure for patients and staff. While optimization of the radiation dose is recommended, few studies have been published. The purpose of this study has been to measure patient and staff radiation dose, to estimate the effective dose and radiation risk using digital fluoroscopic images. Entrance skin dose [ESD], organ and effective doses were estimated for patients and staff. Fifty-seven patients were studied using digital X-ray machine and thermoluminescent dosimeters [TLD] to measure ESD at different body sites. Organ and surface dose to specific radiosensitive organs was carried out. The mean, median, minimum, third quartile and the maximum values are presented due to the asymmetry in data distribution. The mean ESD, exit and thyroid surface dose were estimated to be 75.6 mGy, 3.22 mGy and 0.80 mGy, respectively. The mean effective dose for both gastroenterologist and assistant is 0.01 mSv. The mean patient effective dose was 4.16 mSv, and the cancer risk per procedure was estimated to be 2 x 10[-5]. ERCP with fluoroscopic technique demonstrate improved dose reduction, compared to the conventional radiographic based technique, reducing the surface dose by a factor of 2, without compromising the diagnostic findings. The radiation absorbed doses to the different organs and effective doses are relatively low