Ultrasonography as a Breast Imaging Modality: A Review.

Introduction: Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) serves as the most prominent adjunct imaging modality to mammography. Ultrasound (US) is cheap, non-invasive and widely available in healthcare centres in Ghana but often used for obstetrics and gynaecological investigations. These including many other factors have stimulated a challenge to further investigate and optimise the use of the ultrasound equipments’ availability in order to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases. Aim: The aim of this article is to review the role played by ultrasonography in diagnosing breast masses. Methods: Google search engine was used to search for ultrasonography related articles. The selected articles were reviewed to prepare this manuscript. Results: It was established that though mammography is the orthodox and only modality suitable for screening and should not be replaced, ultrasound is a helpful and reliable diagnostic tool for first-line imaging (screening) especially in younger women to diagnose a palpable mass in the breast without having to necessarily perform a mammogram examination and it is also the only modality that can accurately detect a cystic mass without a biopsy. MRI has a higher sensitivity but low specificity and hence not suitable to be used as a screening tool. Conclusion: Ultrasound is non- invasive, common and cost effective, however it is advisably to do this procedure when clinically necessary or deemed fit.

Basic plastic surgery skills for district and community doctors to manage Buruli ulcer in Ghana

Background: The increase in incidence of Buruli ulcer in Ghana has also been complicated by problems in the care of the patients including lack of knowledge and training by staff, unwillingness of the staff to handle the cases for fear of contracting the disease. Method: An evaluation of training workshop on basic plastic surgery skills. Results: Three basic plastic surgery skills training workshops were held in 3 hospitals in 3 different districts in the region with participation from 15 hospitals/health centers drawn from 7 districts of the Ashanti Region. In all 128 health personnel comprising of Doctors ­ 18, Medical Assistants ­ 24, Clinical Nurses ­ 60 and Others ­ 26 were trained. These trainees went on to form the core of the so-called Buruli Ulcer Management Teams (BUMTs), which are now active in 6 of the institutions that participated in the programme. Conclusion: As a result of these workshops active Buruli Ulcer Management Teams (BUMTs) have been formed in 6 health institutions in the region