Understanding Radiographic Image Noise Measurement and Removal

Background: The radiographic image is characterized by image noise arising from random fluctuations in the absorption of photons by the imaging medium or detector. Measurement and removal of these perturbations will increase the quality of the signal which is desired in improving image interpretation. Purpose: This paper is a short review to improve understanding of the phenomena. Method: A review of some literature was undertaken to facilitate improved appreciation of noise and its measurement. Use of filters in the removal of image noise is covered the review. Conclusion: An understanding of image noise and its contributing parameters is essential to the utilization of post processing techniques for improving image quality.   &nbsp

Nulliparity, Delayed Child Birth and Obesity: Potential Risk Factors for Development of Uterine Fibroid in South-South Nigeria

Background: Causes of fibroid are still unknown. Despite series ofcytogenetic investigations, the uncertainty remains as to the primary orsecondary genetic changes and their impact on the initiation orpromotion of fibroid development.Purpose: To determine the effect of obesity, nulliparity and delayedchild birth on the occurrence of uterine fibroid.Materials and Methods: A prospective sonographic survey wascarried out in a population of women in South-South region of Nigeria.Ultrasound scan was performed in 240 randomly selected women aged20 – 45 years, presenting for scans at the time of study. Subjects’ agesand reproductive history was obtained to ascertain their parity statusand ages at which parous women had their first children.Results: Results showed a weak positive association (r = 0.1; p<0.05)between uterine fibroid and delayed child birth and nulliparity at 31-35years. A strong positive association (r = 0.9; p<0.05) was observed at36 – 45 years. There was no statistically significant associationbetween low, normal and high body mass index with uterine fibroidhowever, a significant association (r = 0.85; p<0.05) was observedwith obesity.Conclusion: Delayed child birth and nulliparity after 36 years of ageappeared to be the most potent risk factor for uterine fibroid in thepopulation studied

X-ray Equipments and Accessories as possible Vectors of Nosocomial Bacteria in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background of Study: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in health institutions, as they affect the quality of health care delivered. The radiology department is one of the mainstays of modern medicine. It is therefore necessary to assess its role in the spread of nosocomial infections.Aim: To assess the presence and specie of nosocomial bacteria on x-ray equipments and accessories as well as their prevalence in public and private hospitals in Anambra state.Method: Sterile swab sticks were used daily to swab the surfaces of selected x-ray equipments and accessories, at the close of work in public and private hospitals in Anambra State. MacConkey and Blood agar media were used to prepare the culture media. The prepared media were put in petri dishes andswab samples were inoculated onto the culture plates. Culture plates were then incubated for 24 hours, at a temperature of 37oc. Bacterial identification was done microscopically under bright light based on their colonial characteristics.Results: Bacteria were isolated in 43/50 (86%) samples collected. Bacteria isolated were; Staphylococcus aureus (36.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.7%), Proteus spp (7. 2%), Streptococcus (13. 4%), and Coliform spp. (20.6%). X-ray cassettes had the highest bacterial load followed by X-ray tube handles and couch.Conclusion: Radiology equipment and accessories in Anambra State have high bacterial load and therefore are potential sources of nosocomial infection

Radiographic Evaluation of Age and Gender Related Cortical Bone Thinning Using The Metacarpal Index Method: A Lagos Based Population Study

A retrospective study to evaluate age and gender relatedcortical bone thinning using the metacarpal index (MCI)method was performed. Study sought to evaluate the effect ofage and gender on metacarpal index. A randomized collectionof 850 (males 436, females 414) dorsi-plantar radiographs ofthe left hand performed from 2003-2005 and accompanyingrequest forms was carried out. The width of the cortex of thesecond metacarpal and shaft was measured and used tocalculate the metacarpal index. Values were compared acrossage ranges and sex. Result showed a gradual increase in MCIfor both sexes from 20-40 years (peak MCI 57.4±2 and52.8±02 for males and females respectively at 40 years). Alinear decrease after the 5th decade of life was also observed.Males showed a higher MCI than females at all ages withmean values of 53.3±3.2 and 46.21±3.9 respectively. A morerapid decrease in MCI was observed in females than males

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG HAUSA COMMUNITIES IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

SUMMARY Schistosomiasis remains one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases especially in Nigeria which has the greatest number of infected people worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 551 participants from Kano State, North Central Nigeria. Fecal samples were examined for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs using the formalin-ether sedimentation method while the urine samples were examined using the filtration technique for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information was collected using a pre-validated questionnaire. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 17.8%, with 8.9% and 8.3% infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively and 0.5% presenting co-infection with both species. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age < 18 years (OR = 2.13; 95% CI; 1.34- 3.41), presence of infected family members (OR = 3.98; 95% CI; 2.13-7.46), and history of infection (OR = 2.87; 95% CI; 1.87- 4.56) were the significant risk factors associated with schistosomiasis in these communities. In conclusion, this study revealed that schistosomiasis is still prevalent among Hausa communities in Nigeria. Mass drug administration, health education and community mobilization are imperative strategies to significantly reduce the prevalence and morbidity of schistosomiasis in these communities

Increased peri-ductal collagen micro-organization may contribute to raised mammographic density

BACKGROUND: High mammographic density is a therapeutically modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Although mammographic density is correlated with the relative abundance of collagen-rich fibroglandular tissue, the causative mechanisms, associated structural remodelling and mechanical consequences remain poorly defined. In this study we have developed a new collaborative bedside-to-bench workflow to determine the relationship between mammographic density, collagen abundance and alignment, tissue stiffness and the expression of extracellular matrix organising proteins. METHODS: Mammographic density was assessed in 22 post-menopausal women (aged 54–66 y). A radiologist and a pathologist identified and excised regions of elevated non-cancerous X-ray density prior to laboratory characterization. Collagen abundance was determined by both Masson’s trichrome and Picrosirius red staining (which enhances collagen birefringence when viewed under polarised light). The structural specificity of these collagen visualisation methods was determined by comparing the relative birefringence and ultrastructure (visualised by atomic force microscopy) of unaligned collagen I fibrils in reconstituted gels with the highly aligned collagen fibrils in rat tail tendon. Localised collagen fibril organisation and stiffness was also evaluated in tissue sections by atomic force microscopy/spectroscopy and the abundance of key extracellular proteins was assessed using mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Mammographic density was positively correlated with the abundance of aligned periductal fibrils rather than with the abundance of amorphous collagen. Compared with matched tissue resected from the breasts of low mammographic density patients, the highly birefringent tissue in mammographically dense breasts was both significantly stiffer and characterised by large (>80 μm long) fibrillar collagen bundles. Subsequent proteomic analyses not only confirmed the absence of collagen fibrosis in high mammographic density tissue, but additionally identified the up-regulation of periostin and collagen XVI (regulators of collagen fibril structure and architecture) as potential mediators of localised mechanical stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that remodelling, and hence stiffening, of the existing stromal collagen microarchitecture promotes high mammographic density within the breast. In turn, this aberrant mechanical environment may trigger neoplasia-associated mechanotransduction pathways within the epithelial cell population. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-015-0664-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

A Reduction in Radiographic Exposure and Image Quality in Film Screen Postero-anterior Chest Radiography

Purpose: To develop a protocol for the optimization of diagnostic chest radiography examination, the effect of radiographic exposure reduction on image quality is investigated. Procedure: Fourty-eight adult patients presenting for posterior-anterior (PA) chest radiography in a tertiary health care centre were categorized into 3 groups to assess the effects of exposure (tube current/time mAs) reduction on clinical image quality using in film screen (FS) chest radiography. Images were obtained at existing departmental exposure protocol (T1) while a record of the exposure factors was made. Test exposures obtained by reducing average mAs values by 20% (T2) and 50% (T3) were used to obtain radiographic images of patients following normal ethically based clinical practice. To make up for the reduction in mAs, a 4% increase in the T1 kVp was used. The quality of images obtained with each exposure protocol was studied by two Consultant Radiologists, using the image quality criteria of the Commission of European Communities (CEC). Assessors used the method of ranked scoring and worked independently. Results: Results showed no change in image quality following the 20% exposure (mAs) reduction. However, there was a significant change in image quality at 50% reduction of mAs values (P &lt; 0.05) with higher image quality scores suggesting improved perceptibility of all assessed criteria among the observers. Conclusion: Improving radiation protection of the patient while maintaining diagnostic quality of the radiographic image at reduced exposures is a clinically desirable development. This study will find application in current efforts at optimization of radiography procedures in the area of study. Keywords: Radiography, exposure reduction, image quality, chest, quality control

Breast composition : measurement and clinical use

Breast density is a measure of the extent of radiodense fibroglandular tissue in the breast. The risk of developing breast cancer and the risk of missing cancer at screening rise with higher breast density. In this paper, the historical background to breast density measurement is outlined and current evidence based practice is explained. The relevance of breast density knowledge to mammographic practice and image interpretation is considered in the light of clinical assessment and notification of mammographic breast density (MBD). The current work also discusses risk stratification for decision-making regarding screening frequency and better modalities for earlier detection of breast cancer in the dense breast. Automated volumetric approaches are explained while ultrasound, digital breast tomosynthesis, molecular breast imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging are introduced as valuable adjuncts to digital mammography for imaging the dense breast. The work concludes on the important note that screened women should be notified of their breast density, and such notification should be accompanied with clear and adequate information about breast density and cancer risk, strategies associated with lower MBD, as well as best screening intervals and pathways for women with dense breasts. Adoption of these strategies may be crucial to early detection and treatment of cancer and improving survival from the disease