Ocular biometry using computed tomography: a study in Benin, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to determine CT measured ocular biometry in Mid-Western Nigeria which may be employed on other Nigerians and Black Africans. PATIENTS AND METHODS The ocular images of 200 patients that had normal cranial CT scans without ocular abnormality or complaints were retrospectively retrieved and analysed. The CT scans were done at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The axial length and width were obtained at the maximum mid-axial images and analysed using SPSS version 17 for measures of central tendency and correlations between variables (level of significance set at 0.05). RESULTS The mean axial length was 21.4mm (right) and 21.6mm (left) while the width was 21.6mm (for right and left). The ocular biometry was larger in the left eye than the right, and also in males than females. The axial length and width increased with advancing age. CONCLUSION CT ocular biometry can be performed on previous cranial CT scans done for other reasons. The dimensions in this study may be used as a local normogram.

Measurement of normal ocular volume by the use of computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Reduction or increase in ocular volume may indicate ocular pathology. Unfortunately the reference values utilized for ocular volume had been that of non-Africans. It is therefore pertinent to have a reference value of normal for Africans. OBJECTIVE: To document the computer tomography (CT) scan measured ocular volume in Benin City, which may serve as a reference for African. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ocular volume of 200 consecutive 'normal' patients (400 eyes) who had CT scan done (using Somatom AR.T, CT scanner, and Siemens) was calculated. The dimensions were obtained at mid-ocular axial slices with maximum anterior-posterior dimension and maximum size of the eye lens. RESULT: The mean (mean ± 2 SD) ocular volume for both eyes was 5282.23 mm 3 ± 1755.13 mm 3 (right eye was 5264.26 mm 3 ± 1781.12 mm 3 ; left eye was 5300.20 mm 3 ± 1771.57 mm 3 ). The mean ocular volumes was different for either eyeball and sex (in males the right eye was 5289.80 mm 3 , left eye was 5224.31 mm 3 ; while in females the right eye was 5338.18 mm 3 , left eye was 5240.79 mm 3 ). Ocular volume correlated with the patients' ages P = 0.006 for the right eye, P = 0.008 for the left eye and P = 0.006 for total eyeball volume. CONCLUSION: Ocular volume correlated positively with the age of the patients to about 50 years after which some reduction was observed. We noted that males had slightly larger eyeballs in comparison to females, although not at statistical significant level.

Mammographic screening and reporting: a need for standardisation. A review.

Mammography has undergone significant improvement as screening tool for early diagnosis of breast cancer as a means of reducing mortality rate in them. The quality of mammograms and interpretative skills of the radiologist are important determinants required to achieve the favourable mortality reduction rates that have been established in randomised trials and also in service screening.Standardised reporting using the Breast Imaging Reporting And Data Systems (BI-RADS) lexicon, developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) has been found useful as a practical way of communication between radiologists and clinicians compared with the free style, which is according to the opinion of each radiologist. This reporting system takes into account important features in the breast such as parenchyma pattern among others, which has been reported as an important risk factor in breast cancer. The objective of this review is to present this lexicon to radiologists and referring physicians as a reporting method which will enhance communication,improve patient management and auditing of performance.

Correlations of Radiographic Findings in Patients with Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain can cause severe debilitating pain that may lead to loss of productivity. The pain is usually non-specific and imaging request protocols varies. However, physicians may order lumbo-sacral x-ray in the initial radiologic assessment of the patient. This study aims to determine the frequency of occurrence of radiographic findings in patients reporting low back pain including the presence of osteophytes, spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc diseases and determine the relationship with patients' features including age, sex, marital status, level of education, body mass index and other radiographic findings. METHOD: Patients who presented at our department for radiographic assessment of the lumbo-sacral spine were voluntarily recruited. Their radiographs were reviewed and questionnaire administered. Height and weight were measured. The radiographic findings were documented and data analysis using Chi square with significant level set at p < 0.05. RESULT: Lumbo-sacral x-rays of 337 patients were reviewed with more females than males, ratio 1:1.4. Osteophytes were demonstrable in 73.6%; spondylolisthesis, 13.4%; and disc degeneration, 28.2%. Disc degeneration correlated with age, educational status, osteophytosis, osteopenia and spondylolisthesis. Osteophytosis correlated with age, BMI and educational level. While spondylolisthesis correlated with educational level and sex. CONCLUSION: Osteophytosis was the commonest finding in patients presenting with LBP. Disc degeneration shows a strong association with osteophytosis and spondylolisthesis and it is reported to herald these changes. Radiography still shows some correlations between the findings in LBP and patients' characteristics.