Aetiology and Imaging Findings in Traumatic Spine Injury among Patients Attending Muhimbili Orthopedics Institute in Dar es Salaam

Background: The main objective of the study was to determine etiology and imaging features of traumatic spine injury in spine injured patients attending Muhimbili orthopedics institute Methods: The study was a hospital based cross-sectional and consecutively included 87 with traumatic Spine Injury. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Statistical package for social science (SPSS 20) was used for data analysis. Results: Eight seven (87) patients with traumatic spine injury were studied. The age range was 4 to 81 years, with a mean age of 33 years. Males were more affected than females. Young individuals aged 16-30 years were the most affected. The commonest cause of spine trauma was motor traffic crashes. The commonest vertebral spine injury seen was compression wedge fracture (35.6%), followed by dislocation (18.4%). The most frequent spine level involved was lumbar spine (37.9%). Paraplegia (33.3%) and quadriplegia (10.3%) were the common clinical presentations. Fifty six percent of patients had associated injuries Conclusion: Traumatic spine injury is common at our settings. Young individuals below 30 years of age are most affected and the most common cause is motor traffic accident (MTA). The use of Computed Tomography (CT) in this study helped to identify several types of injuries especially injury to vertebral bodies and their effect unto neuro structures. MRI helped to identify patients with spinal cord injury which was not evident on CT.Key words: Spine trauma, vertebral fracture, Computed Tomograph

The Role of Abdominal Ultrasound and |Chest Radiography in Management of Breast Cancer Patients in a Low Resource Country: A Case of Tanzania

Background: Breast cancer is among the commonest cancers affecting women in Tanzania. Most of them seek hospital treatment when the disease has reached an advanced stage. Hence widely available modalities like ultrasound (LUS) and chest radiograph (CXR) can be used to establishmetastasis in newly diagnosed patients. The main objective of this study was to determine the role of abdominal ultrasound and chest radiography in detection of liver and lung metastasis in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study in which 103 new breast cancer patients attending Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) were recruited consecutively. All participants were investigated for liver and lung metastases using abdominal ultrasound and chest x-ray respectively.Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic and to document examination findings.Results: Participants were aged between 26 – 77 years, with a mean of 48±11.22. The prevalence of metastasis to the liver and lungs were 18.4% and 20.4% respectively. Majority of patients with breast cancer had locally advanced breast cancer disease that is either TNM stage three (59.2%) or four (32%) disease upon arrival to ORCI.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated a high detection rate of LUS and CXR for liver and lung metastasis in patients with locally advanced breast cancer

Evaluation of scatter suppression algorithm for X-ray exposure of soft tissue equivalent phantoms over nominal energy range using FLUKA code

Soft tissue imaging is heavily impaired by streaks and cupping effects associated with X-ray scatter. Quality of images from projection imaging may be improved by the use of enhanced anti-scatter grids’ designs with potency to reject significant scatter. However, optimization of grid characteristics requires investigation to improve diagnostic image quality. Transmitted scatter spatially distributed degrades images engendering need for effective scatter correction protocols. This study investigated the pre-scan scatter suppression algorithm for X-ray exposure of soft tissue equivalent phantoms over nominal energy range. Adipose tissue and polymethyl methacrylate phantoms of cross-sectional area (30 x 30) cm2 and of varying thickness from 2 to 8 cm in 1 cm increments were successively exposed using energy ranging between 20–50 kVp. Monte Carlo simulation based on FLUKA code and flair interface was used to generate an input file for execution. The source simulated five cycles of ten million photons each of annular X-ray photon beam of radius, r = 0.5 cm at fixed field of view (FOV) through anti-scatter grid on to gadolinium oxysulfide detector. The transmitted total, scatter and primary estimates were evaluated with and without grids over varying phantom thicknesses, energy and grid design features. The simulated and experimental results obtained were comparable and in agreement with previous literature. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for scatter fraction and scatter to primary ratio were 0.983 and 0.981, respectively. The strong correlation between simulation and experiment results indicated correctness in methodology and protocol. The algorithms and protocols in the simulation would be appropriate for designing grids with enhanced scatter rejection capabilities. Keywords: FLUKA code, Monte Carlo simulation, Scatter suppression algorithm, Scatter correction, X-ray imaging systems. &nbsp

Performance evaluation of three computed radiography systems using methods recommended in American Association of Physicists in Medicine Report 93

The performances of three clinical computed radiography (CR) systems, (Agfa CR 75 (with CRMD 4.0 image plates), Kodak CR 850 (with Kodak GP plates) and Kodak CR 850A (with Kodak GP plates)) were evaluated using six tests recommended in American Association of Physicists in Medicine Report 93. The results indicated variable performances with majority being within acceptable limits. The variations were mainly attributed to differences in detector formulations, plate readers’ characteristics, and aging effects. The differences of the mean low contrast scores between the imaging systems for three observers were statistically significant for Agfa and Kodak CR 850A (P=0.009) and for Kodak CR systems (P=0.006) probably because of the differences in ages. However, the differences were not statistically significant between Agfa and Kodak CR 850 (P=0.284) suggesting similar perceived image quality. The study demonstrates the need to implement quality control program regularly

Abstracts of Tanzania Health Summit 2020

This book contains the abstracts of the papers/posters presented at the Tanzania Health Summit 2020 (THS-2020) Organized by the Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC); President Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG); Ministry of Health, Social Welfare, Elderly, Gender, and Children Zanzibar; Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFTA); National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA); Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC); & Tindwa Medical and Health Services (TMHS) held on 25–26 November 2020. The Tanzania Health Summit is the annual largest healthcare platform in Tanzania that attracts more than 1000 participants, national and international experts, from policymakers, health researchers, public health professionals, health insurers, medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, private health investors, supply chain experts, and the civil society. During the three-day summit, stakeholders and decision-makers from every field in healthcare work together to find solutions to the country’s and regional health challenges and set the agenda for a healthier future. Summit Title: Tanzania Health SummitSummit Acronym: THS-2020Summit Date: 25–26 November 2020Summit Location: St. Gasper Hotel and Conference Centre in Dodoma, TanzaniaSummit Organizers: Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC); President Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG); Ministry of Health, Social Welfare, Elderly, Gender and Children Zanzibar; Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFTA); National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA); Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC); & Tindwa Medical and Health Services (TMHS)