Sonographic Biometry of Fetal Interorbital Distance as a Predictor of Gestational Age in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a sonographic technique for the measurement of fetal interorbital distance (IOD) for gestational age (GA) determination and to establish a normogram of IOD for the local population. METHODS: The fronto-transverse sonographic technique was established as a feasible and reproducible technique for IOD measurement. Two independent and experienced sonographers tested the technique and had a coefficient of variation of 17.64% and 19.72%, respectively, which is statistically insignificant. The established technique was used to measure the IOD of 320 fetuses from the 13th week to 40th week GA, while standard technique was used to measure biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and femur length (FL) of the fetuses. The data obtained were used to determine the regression equation GA = 6.24 + 4.89 IOD for the prediction of the gestational age. RESULTS: There was good correlation between IOD, BPD, HC and FL. The predicted normogram of IOD was compared with normogram of the Caucasian population. The result showed that there was no statistical difference between them (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results from the study suggest that the fronto-transverse technique is a feasible and reproducible technique for IOD measurement and the established normogram of IOD can be a veritable statistic for GA prediction in our locality.

The frequency of various indications for plain chest radiography in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH).

BACKGROUND: With soaring advances in the field of medicine, the place of older radiologic imaging modalities is being reduced to basic screening tools. Yet the modern imaging modalities like computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and nuclear medicine are hardly available. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To study the frequency of various indications of plain chest radiography, remind us of its uses and to enhance the preparedness of the department to maximally accomplish the ideals of this investigation. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1476 consecutive patients for chest radiography in the department of radiology, NAUTH, Nnewi from the period of February 2009 and whose request form contain adequate data were recruited for this study. These data were analyzed using SSPS. RESULTS: A total of 1476 patient were included in this study. There was female preponderance with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. Mean Age of the patients is 39.32 years (std19.56). The most frequent indication for chest radiography is certain infections and parasitic diseases (40.9% and the greatest source of referral for this study is General outpatient (GOPD)/family medicine department. CONCLUSION: The most frequent indications for chest radiography in the study are certain infection and parasitic diseases. Chest Radiography is the most frequent plain radiography study in our environment where infectious diseases are still very rampant. This makes chest radiography an important study for screening patient for possible diagnosis and classifying the need for further radiographic investigation of our patients.

The Frequency of Various Indications for Plain Chest Radiography in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi (Nauth)

Background: With soaring advances in the field of medicine; the place of older radiologic imaging modalities is being reduced to basic screening tools. Yet the modern imaging modalities like computerized tomography (CT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); ultrasound and nuclear medicine are hardly available.Study Objectives: To study the frequency of various indications of plain chest radiography; remind us of its uses and to enhance the preparedness of the department to maximally accomplish the ideals of this investigation.Methodology: A total of 1476 consecutive patients for chest radiography in the department of radiology; NAUTH; Nnewi from the period of February 2009 and whose request form contain adequate data were recruited for this study. These data were analyzed using SSPS.Results: A total of 1476 patient were included in this study. There was female preponderance with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. Mean Age of the patients is 39.32 years (std19.56). The most frequent indication for chest radiography is certain infections and parasitic diseases (40.9 and the greatest source of referral for this study is General outpatient (GOPD)/family medicine department.Conclusion: The most frequent indications for chest radiography in the study are certain infection and parasitic diseases. Chest Radiography is the most frequent plain radiography study in our environment where infectious diseases are still very rampant. This makes chest radiography an important study for screening patient for possible diagnosis and classifying the need for further radiographic investigation of our patients

The clinical and pathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma in Nnewi, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the commonest malignancy of the liver. In spite of the recent advances in treatment, prognosis is still abysmal especially in developing countries. This article aims to review the clinical and pathological features of HCC in a tertiary hospital at Nnewi. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study. Patients with HCC seen at the Medical Out-patient Department or admitted into the Medical wards of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi were recruited. The study lasted from June 2007 to May, 2008. Subjects were clinically evaluated and blood samples collected for HBsAg, anti-HCV and HBeAg assays. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCC was 2.4%. Of the 60 patients studied, 38 were males and 22 were females with a male to female ratio of 2:1. Their ages ranged from 19-86 years with a mean age of 50.62 +/- 17.54. The mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 16 weeks and the mean duration from onset of symptoms to death is 20 weeks. Common presenting symptoms were painful right hypochondrial mass, abdominal swelling, weight loss, early satiety and fatigue while coagulopathy, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy were the most common complications. Multiple lesions affecting both lobes of the liver was seen in 48 patients on ultrasound, 36.6% were positive for HBsAg of which 41% were HBeAg positive. HCV antibodies were present in 8.3% of the patients. Well differentiated HCC of the pseudo-glandular variety was the most common histological type. CONCLUSION: HCC affects middle aged Nigerians. Though well differentiated, it presents late with clinical features of advanced disease leading to death within six months. It is more often associated with chronic HBV than HCV infection.

The pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings in women being investigated for infertility in Nnewi, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Tubal occlusion is the commonest cause of female infertility in the developing societies. Hysterosalpingography remains a vital method of assessing tubal patency especially in resource limited settings such as ours. OBJECTIVE: To review the pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among women being investigated for infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria over a period of five years (2001-2005). METHOD: The data obtained from the request forms and radiologists' reports were analyzed using SPSS version 11. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 320 studied, 230 were found suitable for analysis. Their ages ranged from 20 to 44 years (mean 32.8 +/- 5.8 years). The indications were primary infertility in 103 (44.8%), secondary infertility in 88(38.3%), while in 39 (16.9%) patients the type of infertility was not specified. The reports revealed that 67 (29.1%) had normal HSG Cervical abnormalities were found in 34 (14.8%), uterine cavity abnormalities in 108 (47.0%). Tubal pathologies were seen in 100 (43.5%) with bilateral tubal occlusion in 43 (18.7%) and bilateral hydrosalpinges in 6 (2.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: Tubal pathology remains a major contributor to female infertility in this part of the world.

The Pattern of Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Women Being Investigated for Infertility in Nnewi; Nigeria

Background: Tubal occlusion is the commonest cause of female infertility in the developing societies. Hysterosalpingography remains a vital method of assessing tubal patency especially in resource limited settings such as ours. Objective: To review the pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among women being investigated for infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi; Nigeria over a period of five years (2001- 2005). Method: The data obtained from the request forms and radiologists' reports were analyzed using SPSS version 11. The level of statistical significance was set at p

Assessment of the value of preliminary films at hysterosalpingography.

The usefulness of preliminary films in the Hysterosalpingographic evaluation of infertility is studied using the Hysterosalpingogram of 200 patients, comprising 83 primary and 117 secondary infertility cases. There were overall 12 (6.0%) demonstrable lesions, 4 (4.8%) in the preliminary films of primary infertility patients and 8 (6.8%) in that of secondary infertility patients. Osseous lesions were found in 4 (2.0%) patients comprising 2 (2.4%) patients with primary infertility and 2 (1.7%) patients with secondary infertility. Non-osseous lesions were found in 8 (4.0%) patients, comprising 2 (2.4%) patients with primary infertility and 6 (5.1%) patients with secondary infertility. The overall numbers of pathological lesions, 12 (6.0%) discerned through preliminary film are too few to justify its continued practice. This and other relevant factors that would prohibit the use of preliminary films at Hysterosalpingography are discussed.