Variation of Ultrasonic Renal Volume between Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Individuals in Relation to Body Size Parameters.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of renal size is vital for the diagnosis of abnormal structural change on the kidneys due to the adverse effects of chronic diseases like hypertension. This study evaluated renal volume by ultrasound in relation to body size parameters, notably body mass index (BMI) and body surface area(BSA) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals. METHODS: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February to September 2018 at the Radiology department of the Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). The study included consecutively selected samples of 85 ambulatory hypertensive patients and 60non-hypertensive controls recruited consecutively on voluntary basis. After receiving verbal consent, each subject underwent abdominal ultrasound examination and length, width and thickness of both kidneys were measured and used for estimation of renal volume. The statistical evaluation included independent samples t-tests for mean differences with regard to ultrasonic renal measurements between hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. RESULTS: A total of 145 adults aged 16 - 80 years (mean ±SD=44 ±17) participated in the study. In the hypertensive group, mean renal volume of 97.7cm3 for the right kidney and104.4cm3 for the left kidney whereas in the control group, it was 101.1cm3 for the right and 111.8 cm3 for the left kidney. The mean right renal volume to BSA ratio was 58.2cm3/m2 in hypertensive group, while it was 62.6cm3/m2 among the control group (p=0.076). The mean left renal volume to BSA of the patients was 62.2cm3/m2 and significantly (p=0.012) lower than that of the non-hypertensive group, which was 69.3 cm3/m2. CONCLUSION: Slightly smaller bilateral renal volume among hypertensive patients as compared the controls was obtained.

ESTABLISHING LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR ROUTINE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATIONS IN JIMMA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA.

The main purpose of this study was to determine local diagnostic reference level (LDRL) for Routine Computed Tomography (CT) examination in, Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) South West Ethiopia. Retrospective study was conducted to determine LDRL for routine CT examination in JUMC. We have considered CTDIvol and DLP as dosimetric quantity based on the recommended guidelines to determine LDRLs by different international legal Authorities. The 75th percentile values of the calculated CTDIvol and DLP were proposed as LDRL. LDRL was obtained as CTDIvol, 42.97mGy, 7.76mGy, 14.32mGy, and 10.86mGy for routine brain CT, routine chest CT, routine thoraco-lumbar CT and routine abdomen CT examination respectively. Similarly the determined LDRL from DLP was 1364.15mGycm, 368.96mGycm, 853.18mGycm, and 1568.96mGycm for brain, chest, thoraco-lumbar and abdomen examination respectively. The LDRL obtained for DLP was higher compared with international DRLs; it can be reduced by coordinating effort between radiologists, technologists and medical physicist.

Analysis and Economic Implication of X-Ray Film Reject in Diagnostic Radiology Department of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Patients usually undergo repeated X-ray examinations after their initial X-ray radiographs are rejected due to poor image quality. This subjects the patients to excess radiation exposure and extra cost.It is therefore investigating the magnitude and causes of reject is mandatory. This study aimed to assess the reject rate of X-ray films and its economic implication in order to obtain information for further recommendations on image quality, cost and radiation exposure. METHOD: A cross-sectional study approaches was employed. Reject rate was measured for two x-rays in the department across all plain x-ray films examinations using a structured format on which relevant data for reject were recorded by investigators. The results were then collected and entered into a database for analysis. RESULT: Reject rate and cause of reject were measured across all plane x-ray examinations for the hospital. From a total of 6563 exposed films, 16.85% were rejected. This leads to economic waste of 24,721.99 ETB, or 17.8% of a total cost in 4month period and increase in radiation dose to both patients and staff. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study show that both the overall reject rate and individual reject rate were higher than the accepted range which could be due to machine fault, operator's technical limitations, or absence of quality control program in the department. We recommend that regular quality assurance and quality control procedure which are well documented should be established in the department.

Assessment of Pediatrics Radiation Dose from Routine X-Ray Examination at Jimma University Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Given the fact that children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults, with an increased risk of developing radiation-induced cancer, special care should be taken when they undergo X-ray examinations. The main aim of the current study was to determine Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) to pediatric patients arising from routine x-ray examination in the Radiology Department of Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH). METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric patients less than 15 years of age who visited to seek x-ray examinations in JUSH. In this study, chest (AP), skull (AP), Abdomen (AP) and Pelvic (AP) x-ray examinations were analyzed. Radiographic exposure factors were recorded in each examination. ESD was calculated using exposure parameters. The calculated ESD values were weighed against the Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) recommended doses and similar published studies. Comparison was made among different age groups through mean comparison. RESULT: The obtained ESD values were mostly higher than the values in internationally published studies and DRL for all age groups. For chest AP, the mean ESD values were 1.82mGy which is higher than similar studies in Nigeria (0.642Mgy), Brazil (o.o62mGy) and NRPB (0.050mGy) for ages of 0-1 years. CONCLUSION: The higher pediatric patient dose obtained in this study is a further indicator that doses delivered to pediatric patients are not according to ALARA principle, and there is a need to optimize service and patients' radiation exposure in JUSH in particular and in Ethiopia in general.