Low field MR imaging of sellar and parasellar lesions: experience in a developing country hospital.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an advancement which followed computed tomography (CT) is expensive and inaccessible in most developing countries. However it is the procedure of choice in evaluating sellar and parasellar lesions. Its major advantages are its superior soft tissue contrast differentiation, its capacity for multiplanar imaging and nonexistence of ionising radiation. Its use is relatively new in Nigeria, a developing economy in Africa. Since its introduction in 2005, it has been utilised extensively for neuroimaging at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; a large hospital in south-western Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To review the role and pattern of low field MR Imaging in sellar and parasellar lesions presenting to a tertiary care centre in Nigeria. METHODS: All 62 patients with clinically suspected sellar and parasellar masses, referred to the Department of Radiology, UCH Ibadan for MRI between December 2006 and January 2010 were retrospectively analysed. The examinations were performed using an open 0.2T permanent magnet MR unit. T1W, T2W, T2/FLAIR, TOF and T1W post gadolinium DTPA sequences of the sellar region were obtained. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients, there were 27 males and 35 females. The modal age group was 40-49 years with a mean age of 39.94 years (±16.65 years). Twenty-four cases (38.7%) had histological diagnosis, of which 20 (83.3%) were consistent with initial MRI diagnosis. Pituitary adenomas were the commonest (58.06%) lesions of the sellar and parasellar regions. Others include parasellar meningiomas, cranipharyngiomas, and giant aneurysms. Headache and visual impairment were the major presenting features and showed no significant correlation with tumour size. CONCLUSION: The use of low field MRI in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected sellar or parasellar lesions in developing countries of low economic resource is commendable as it provides beneficial outcomes in management.

Combined effect of chloroquine and insulin administration on some biochemical parameters in rats placed on high fat and calcium diet.

Effect of combined administration of Insulin and Chloroquine on fasting blood glucose, total protein, creatinine and uric acid concentration were investigated in rats placed on diets high in fat and calcium (SP diet). Thirty-six (36) rats (grouped into six) were placed on different treatment: Grams A and B were fed with NP (normal diet) and SP diet respectively; Group C was placed on NP diet and injected intramuscularly with 100 microg insulin per day; Group D was placed on SP diet and also injected with 100 microg insulin per day; Group E was placed on SP diet and injected with both insulin (100 microg/day) and chloroquine (20mg/Kg thrice weekly); Group F was placed on SP diet and injected with chloroquine (20mg/Kg) thrice weekly. After 15 weeks of treatment, a significantly reduced concentration of glucose was observed in groups injected with insulin and those injected with insulin and chloroquine together (compared with the control groups, A and B). The serum total protein and uric acid level were however not significantly different in all the rats. Serum creatinine was also observed to be significantly lowered in the rats treated with insulin. The results of this study thus suggest that insulin and chloroquine administration may result in reduced blood glucose level (hypoglycemia). It also suggests that insulin and chloroquine administration may further effect an improved kidney function.