Procjena razloga za istodobnu upotrebu konvencionalne i računalne radiografije u dvije savezne bolnice u Maiduguriju u Saveznoj državi Borno

Objectives: To determine the rationale behind the concurrent practice of conventional and computed radiography systems in two federal hospitals and to determine the advantages and disadvantages Methodology: Fifty-one questionnaires comprising 22 items and divided into four sections were distributed to radiologists, radiographers and intern radiographers. Analysis was carried out using the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0. Chi-square was used to test the hypothesis with the significance level of p<0.05. Results: Most respondents (68.6%, n=35) agreed that the incidence of preference of one radiographic system over the other by referring physicians was the main rationale for the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems in their departments. Majority (88.2%, n=45) agreed that the main advantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems was that each radiographic system could serve as backup in the event of breakdown of one system. Majority (66.7%, n=34) agreed that the main disadvantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems was that it was expensive to practice and maintain both systems concurrently. Chi square value was statistically significant p<0.005. Conclusion: The major rationale was preference by referring physicians. The study revealed the advantages of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems and the provision of a backup system in the event of break down. The disadvantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems is the cost of maintenance and the incidence of undue preference of one radiographic system over another. Acknowledgement: we acknowledge the management and staff of Radiology departments of the two hospitals where the study took place.Cilj: Utvrditi razloge za istodobnu upotrebu konvencionalnog i računalnog radiografskog sustava u dvije savezne bolnice te utvrditi njihove prednosti i nedostatke. Metodologija: Radiolozima, radiološkim tehnolozima i stažistima podijeljen je 51 upitnik od 22 tvrdnje koji se sastoji od četiri dijela. Analiza je provedena primjenom Statističkog paketa za društvene znanosti (SPSS), verzija 19.0. Za testiranje hipoteze primijenjen je hi-kvadrat test s razinom značajnosti od p < 0,05. Rezultati: Većina ispitanika (68,6 %, n = 35) složila se da je liječnikova preferencija jednog radiografskog sustava glavni razlog za istodobnu upotrebu obaju radiografskih sustava na njihovim odjelima. Većina (88,2 %, n = 45) se složila da je glavna prednost istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava da svaki od njih može poslužiti kao rezervni u slučaju kvara jednog od sustava. Većina (66,7 %, n = 34) se složila da je glavni nedostatak istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava visok trošak primjene i održavanja dvaju sustava istodobno. Vrijednost hi-kvadrata bila je statistički značajna s p < 0,005. Zaključak: Glavni razlog za upotrebu obaju sustava bila je sklonost liječnika jednom od ta dva sustava. Istraživanje je otkrilo prednosti istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava i osiguravanje rezervnog sustava u slučaju kvara. Nedostatak je istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava trošak održavanja i neopravdana preferencija jednog radiografskog sustava u odnosu na drugi

Artefactual Behaviour of Fluid in Radiographic Darkroom Practice

Background: Before the advent of computed and digital radiography, radiographs were processed in a lighttight darkroom. In spite of advancement in technology which enables film processing without the intermediary of the conventional darkroom, many radiographic centres worldwide, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, still carry out darkroom processing. Liquid chemicals are involved, and their misuse may result in artefacts on the processed radiographs. Objective: To investigate the artefactual abilities of common darkroom fluids on x-ray films (unprocessed) and radiographs (processed) in a centre transiting from darkroom to computed radiography.Methods: A total of five thousand, five hundred (5,500) radiographs produced between January to June 2013, and retrieved from the archive were scrutinized retrospectively, with the aid of a viewing box until those withfluid-induced artefacts were identified and isolated. The nature, grayscale appearance and origin of artefacts were arrived at by consensus of the researchers and documented. Divergence in opinion or ambiguous artefacts was resolved through darkroom simulations. Data was analyzed with a simple calculator. Results: Sixty-one (1.1 %) radiographs with fluid-induced artefacts were noted. Developer caused black artefacts while fixer, water and grease all caused different hue of grey artefacts. Only grease caused artefacts after processing whereas other fluids were inert on them. Water-induced artefacts, as a result of stuck films in the automatic processor had the highest frequency (n = 21; 34.4 %) while water-bed artefact was rare (n = 1; 2 %). The stages at which artefacts were introduced were noted as pre-processing, processing and postprocessing, respectively.Conclusion: All four investigated darkroom fluids are potential artefactual agents. A knowledge of their distinct characteristics on films and radiographs may help to reduce distractions during reporting, as well as serve as guide to effective remedial actions during subsequent darkroom processing

Establishment of local Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for radiography examinations in north eastern Nigeria

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) is an essential optimization tool in radiography and radiological sciences. The objective of the study is to establish DRL for radiography examinations in north eastern Nigeria. A Prospective cross- sectional study conducted in two university teaching hospitals in north eastern Nigeria. Seven hundred and fifty (750) patients were considered for the study. Thermoluminiscent dosimeter (TLD) chips were exposed for each examination. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between the dose and anthropotechnical parameters. Statistical significance was set at P&lt;0.05. The DRL for PA chest x-ray and lateral were 0.59 mGy and 1.02 mGy, PA skull x-ray and lateral skull x-ray were 1.02 mGy and 1.01 mGy. The DRL for PA elbow and lateral elbow are 0.57 mGy and 1.77mGy. AP shoulder x-ray and lateral were 0.71 mGy and 0.83 mGy The DRL for dorsi-plantar foot and dorsi-plantar oblique foot were 0.58 mGy and 0.61 mGy .AP dorsal spine x-ray and lateral dorsal spine are 1.03 mGy and 1.09 mGy. AP cervical spine and lateral were 0.62 mGy and0.79 mGy. Lumbosacral spine AP and lateral was 1.22 mGy and 1.59 mGy. AP wrist, lateral wrist, AP knee, lateral knee, Abdominal x-ray, pelvic x-ray, hand dorsi-palmar ,hand dorsi-palmar oblique and dental x-ray were 0.52mGy,0.87mGy, 0.50mGy, 0.50 mGy, 0.91 mGy, 1.01 mGy, 0.82 mGy,0.28 mGy, 0.83 mGy and 0.46 mGy respectively. DRLs in this work recorded lower values compared to international established work. Regular dose optimization etiquette’s are required to ensure good practice.Keywords: Diagnostic reference levels, Radiography, Thermoluminiscent dosimeter, Dental, x-rays, Entrance skin dos