Establishment of a local diagnostic reference level for computed tomography chest and abdomen in two different cities in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans, which are considered a high-contrast resolution, quick and cross-sectional imaging technique, have grown in popularity as a result of technological advancements. However, these advancements have brought with them the potential for significantly increased radiation doses to the patient. Consequently, many organizations recommended optimization and establishing diagnostic reference levels. The aim of the current study was to assess CT radiation dose and propose a local diagnostic reference level (LDRL) for the adult trunk [chest and abdomen] using CT dose parameters such as CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) as well as to compare the practices for aforementioned examinations between two hospitals in Taif and Abha cities in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 428 patients (216 for abdomen and 212 for chest) who were examined in two hospitals in Taif and Abha City in Saudi Arabia from December 2022 to March 2023, are used in this study. The data for hospitals in Taif and Abha are presented as 'T' and 'A' throughout this manuscript. The parameters of exposure and slice thickness were recorded in a specially designed data sheet together with the gender, age and patients morphometric. Microsoft Excel version 2010 was used to analyze results and plot the figures. The LDRL was achieved from the third quartile of CTDIvol and DLP for each hospital and examination. RESULTS: The average DLP (mGy-cm) and CTDIvol (mGy) for the chest and abdomen were 243 mGy cm, 5.8 mGy and 549 mGy cm, 8.6 mGy respectively. The average effective dose (ED) for chest and abdomen were 5.10 and 21.10 mSv, respectively. The proposed LDRL for the chest and abdomen were 6.9 mGy (CTDIvol), 375 mGy-cm (DLP), 7.8 mGy (CTDIvol), and 747 (DLP) mGy-cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hospital 'A' irradiated patients with a higher dose for the abdomen exam than Hospital 'T', but both hospitals agreed on the amount of radiation dose received by patients for chest imaging. The proposed LDRL for two examinations was less than the DRL obtained from the literature.

Natural Bioactive Molecules: An Alternative Approach to the Treatment and Control of COVID-19.

Several coronaviruses (CoVs) have been associated with serious health hazards in recent decades, resulting in the deaths of thousands around the globe. The recent coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the importance of discovering novel and effective antiviral medicines as quickly as possible to prevent more loss of human lives. Positive-sense RNA viruses with group spikes protruding from their surfaces and an abnormally large RNA genome enclose CoVs. CoVs have already been related to a range of respiratory infectious diseases possibly fatal to humans, such as MERS, SARS, and the current COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, effective prevention, treatment, and medications against human coronavirus (HCoV) is urgently needed. In recent years, many natural substances have been discovered with a variety of biological significance, including antiviral properties. Throughout this work, we reviewed a wide range of natural substances that interrupt the life cycles for MERS and SARS, as well as their potential application in the treatment of COVID-19.

Characterization of sphenoid sinuses for Sudanese population using computed tomography.

The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus using computerized tomography (CT). 100 Sudanese subjects were investigated for CT sinuses; Characterization of the sphenoid sinus and seven horizontal and vertical measurements were evaluated. Onodi cell was found in 13 subjects, 10 of them were sellar and 3 were pre-sellar. Pneumatization was of the sellar type in 85 %, presellar was 15 %, and no subject was chonchal. The mean length of vertical lines from the center of sphenoid ostium to the roof and bottom were 10.6 ± 3.1 mm, 11.1 ± 3.7 mm respectively. When the sphenoid ostium was located superior to the lowest point of the sella, the line from the center of the sphenoid sinus ostium to the posterior wall of the sinus was 15.2 ± 4.2 mm and when was located inferior, the line was 26.3 ± 5.2 mm on average. The mean length from the lowest point of the sella to the anterior wall of sphenoid sinus was 16.8 ± 3.6 mm. The line from anterior wall to posterior wall of sphenoid sinus lining skull base was 10.9±3.2mm mm. The maximum depth was 25.2 ± 6.9 mm and the maximum width was 18.4 ± 5.9mm. The differences in the sphenoid sinus character take place between males and females. The study provides essential anatomical information for Sudanese subjects and its impact in the clinical surgical practice.