Maternal perspectives of prenatal sonogram in a north-eastern population in Nigeria

Limited information exists on maternal perspectives of prenatal sonogram in north-eastern Nigeria. This study was aimed at documenting the views and expectations of pregnant women concerning prenatal sonogram as well as their level of awareness of its purpose, limitations and safety in a predominantly Moslem society. A survey was carried out on a convenience sample of 150 patients referred from ante-natal clinics for prenatal sonogram, by administering semi-structured questionnaires. The results show that 61.3% of the women had prenatal sonogram, with little or no information about the purpose, capabilities and limitations of the procedure. 24.7% had neither formal western nor Islamic educational background that may have influenced their perceptions. Most of the women [81.3%] were sponsored by either government or their husbands, 72.7% perceived sonogram to be affordable and 63.4% viewed sonographic results as reliable. The perceived main reasons for having a prenatal sonogram were to determine the expected date of delivery and foetal well-being, and to obtain reassurance of maternal health. Sex determination and number of foetuses were the least considered reasons. The study indicates that providing pregnant women with adequate information and sensitising them to the purpose and limitations of sonograms is necessary to guarantee its rational utilisation. Improving patient care, enhancing the skill of sonographers and providing more facilities would improve the services and patients' perspectives of prenatal sonography

effect of moderate alcohol intake on gallbladder motility A milk ultrasonographic study

To assess the effect of periodic and moderate alcohol intake on gallbladder motility. The Ultrasonographic ellipsoid method was used in 21 healthy male subjects: 12 non-alcohol and 9 alcohol drinkers. The stimulus for gallbladder contraction was 165 ml of half cream milk. Gallbladder dynamics were studied for 20 minutes following the ingestion of the milk. The mean percentage change in gallbladder volume after 10 and 20 minutes gave indications of gallbladder motility. Moderate and periodic alcohol intake did not stimulate rapid postprandial gallbladder emptying. The protective effect of alcohol against biliary cholesterol cholelithiasis could not be due to stimulation of gallbladder emptying

Body surface area as a surrogate measure of gallbladder sizes and indices: a predictive equation in humans

To Find out the relationship between body surface area and gallbladder size; body surface area and gallbladder roundness index; and body surface area and gallbladder spherical index. The length, width of 250 normal subjects comprising 140 males and 110 Females were sonographically measured. The gallbladder volumes, roundness index and spherical index were computed for each subject. Pearson's correlation established relationships between body surface area and gallbladder variables. A regression equation of gallbladder volume and body surface area was computed. Tests were two-tailed with P <0.05 indicating statistical significance. There was a significant linear correlation between gallbladder size and body surface area [r = 0.400; p= 0.007]. The correlation between body surface area and gallbladder roundness index [r = -0.053, p = 0.731] and body surface area and gallbladder spherical index [r =- 0.133, P = 0.389] were not significant. An equation relating gallbladder volume and body surface area based on a simple linear regression gave GBV [cm3] = 32.036 BSA [m2] - 25.943. Body surface area significantly correlates with gallbladder size and hence can be used to predict gallbladder sizes prior to cholecystosonography