Scattering of the Exit Beam at the Patient–Cassette Front Material Interface by Ebony Wood

As part of the search for substitute materials for use asradiographic equipment accessories in developing countries,scattering of the exit beam at phantom-material (simulatingthe patient-cassette) interface has been investigated for Ebonywood and aluminium, for comparison, usingthermoluminescent detectors (TLD). Results for significanceof independent samples showed that, there was no statisticaldifference in the scattering of the exit beam towards thephantom, by the two tested materials (P = 0.3) at the 95%confidence interval, with changes in tube potential. Variationof radiation field size however produced a marked difference.This suggests the possible use of Ebony wood as a substitutefor aluminium as a radiographic accessory, subject however,to further radiographic tests and confirmation

Sonographic Correlation of Liver Dimension and Anthropometric Variables of Height, Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)

Background: Estimation of liver size can be used as an index to monitor various aspects of liver disease and response to therapy.Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric variables (Height, Weight and Body Mass Index) with liver size was carried out in subjects with clinically and sonographically confirmed normal liver.Materials & Methods: This prospective sonographic study was carried out in Calabar, Uyo, Zaria and Makurdicosmopolitan cities of Nigeria. Scans were performed on 388 subjects and their liver sizes measured in the Midclavicular and anterior axillary lines, respectively. Patients’ heights and weights were also measured and used to calculate their respective body mass indices.Results: Mean liver diameter in the study population was 12.9±1.7cm (Range 9.2 – 15.2cm) and 11.6±1.7cm (Range 8.0 – 14.5cm) at the midclavicular and anterior axillary lines respectively. About 98.5 % of the study population had liver sizes ≤15.0cm while 1.5% had sizes at the upper limits of 15.3 – 16cm. Height and BMI appeared to have sone influence on liver size (r=+60; P<0.05, +0.65; P<0.05) respectively at the midclavicular line but not at the anterior axillary line. An insignificant relationship was observed with weight and liver size (r= +0.1; P<0.05) both in the MCL and AAL.Conclusion: Liver size is affected more by individual’s height and body mass index and less by their weight in the region studied

A survey of club foot cases in southern Nigeria using radiographic request forms

Background: Clubfoot is a birth defect where the foot is inverted andtwisted inwards. If not corrected, affected individuals usually walkwith the side of their feet or ankles.Methods: A survey of cases of clubfeet (Talipes equinovarus) wascarried out in two orthopedic hospitals and one rehabilitation centercoded NOHI, NOHE and SJRC in three cities (Lagos, Enugu andEssien-Udim) each representing a zone in Southern Nigeria. Patients’clinical history and biodata were collected from their radiologicalrequest forms between years 2000 – 2005. Number of cases in eachzone, age at presentation for correction, patients’ gender, foot andnumber of feet affected were recorded.Results: A total of 1202 clubfeet cases were recorded. About713(59.3%) were males and 489 (40.7%) were females. Highestnumber of cases was in Lagos (56.5%) followed by Essien Udim(21.8%). Majority 599(49.8%) of the children were presented between1 – 6 months after birth. About of 97(76%) of patients who werepresented after 30 weeks were from the South-South region ofSouthern Nigeria. Bilateral involvement was predominant (59.2%)followed by unilateral right sided involvement (23.2%). A ratio of1.5:1 was found between males and female patients.Conclusion: The highest number of cases recorded was in denselypopulated areas with a greater male to female ratio. Bilateralinvolvement is common and a greater proportion of children arepresented within the first six months of birth. Late presentation fortreatment in South-South Nigeria may be due to ignorance, povertyand lack of orthopedic hospitals and specialists to provide qualityservice