Sonographic assessment of petroleum-induced hepatotoxicity in Nigerians: does biochemical assessment underestimate liver damage?

Background: Exposure to petroleum products has been shown to have significant adverse effects on the liver which can manifest either as morphological or physiological changes.Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of chronic exposure to some petroleum products on the liver of exposed workers using sonography and to determine whether biochemical assessments underestimated hepatotoxicity.Methods: Abdominal ultrasound was performed on 415 exposed workers in order to evaluate liver echogenicity and size. Also, biochemical assessment of the liver was done to evaluate its functionResults: Statistically significant increase in the liver parenchymal echogenicity and the liver size was seen in the exposed workers compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). These increased as the exposure duration increased. It was also noted that out of 16.87% (N=70) exposed workers with abnormal liver echopattern, only 2.65% (N=11) had alanine aminotransferase above the reference range.Conclusion: The study revealed evidence of ultrasound detectable hepatotoxicity among the exposed subjects. Sonography appeared to detect petroleum products-induced hepatic toxicity more than biochemical assays suggesting that biochemical assessment may have underestimated toxicity.Keywords: Petroleum Products, Exposure, Hepatotoxicity, Sonography, Biochemical assessment, Nigeri

Assessment of Radiation Safety Measures in Select Radio-Diagnostic Centres in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: The risks associated with x-rays in radiography are minimized through international best practices of a regular program of quality control. Objective: To assess the radiation safety precautions taken in five radio-diagnostic centers in Kaduna State, NigeriaMethodology: Measuring tapes, radiation meters and other accessories were used to assess for x-ray room dimension, x-ray tube leakage, kVp accuracy, half value layer (HVL), mA linearity, optical and x-ray beam congruence, beam alignment, and timer accuracy. Results: Only one centre complied with the 16m2 minimum room dimension required for an x-ray room, passed area monitoring without a compromise, and wholly complied with kVp error limit of 5%. Two centres passed optical radiation beam congruence, beam alignment and timer accuracy tests. Three centres passed mA linearity test. All the five centers passed the tube leakage test with none of the centers recording up to 1mSv/h at 100cm from the tube surface. Conclusion: X-ray machines used in Kaduna States are safe. However, there are uncoordinated attention toother safety precautions. More efforts should be made to ensure that holistic regulatory standards are met in order to consolidate radiation protection

Sonographic assessment of petroleum-induced hepatotoxicity in Nigerians: does biochemical assessment underestimate liver damage?

Background: Exposure to petroleum products has been shown to have significant adverse effects on the liver which can manifest either as morphological or physiological changes. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of chronic exposure to some petroleum products on the liver of exposed workers using sonography and to determine whether biochemical assessments underestimated hepatotoxicity. Methods: Abdominal ultrasound was performed on 415 exposed workers in order to evaluate liver echogenicity and size. Also, biochemical assessment of the liver was done to evaluate its function Results: Statistically significant increase in the liver parenchymal echogenicity and the liver size was seen in the exposed workers compared with control (p 64 0.05). These increased as the exposure duration increased. It was also noted that out of 16.87% (N=70) exposed workers with abnormal liver echopattern, only 2.65% (N=11) had alanine aminotransferase above the reference range. Conclusion: The study revealed evidence of ultrasound detectable hepatotoxicity among the exposed subjects. Sonography appeared to detect petroleum products-induced hepatic toxicity more than biochemical assays suggesting that biochemical assessment may have underestimated toxicity

RADIOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF NORMAL RANGE VALUES OF ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT SPACE IN NIGERIAN POPULATION

Background: Acromioclavicular joint space is one of the most common injuries of the shoulder region. Accurate diagnosis of most acromioclavicular (AC) joint pathologies depends on the knowledge of the normal range values of acromioclavicular joint space. The variation in the normal AC joint spaces among the studied population points to the need to have population-specific reference range values of acromioclavicular joint space while the paucity of data on normal acromioclavicular joint space diameter in our locality necessitated this study. Objective: This study was, therefore, aimed at radiographically determining the normal reference range values of acromioclavicular joint space diameter with age in adult Nigerian and also to find its variation with sex. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in Enugu from January 2019 to July 2019. It involved digital anteroposterior shoulder radiographs of 628 adults (18 – 80 years) obtained using Zanca’s view and reported as normal by four consultant radiologists. The acromioclavicular joint space diameter is calculated as an integral of the distances between the superior and inferior borders of the acromioclavicular joint space. Data were analyzed using a linear regression model, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and independent sample t-test. Results: The mean AC joint space diameter ranged from 3.63 mm at ≤ 20 years to 1.14 mm at 76-80 years of age. Acromioclavicular joint space diameter correlated strongly but negatively with age with correlation coefficients of -0.785, -.839, -.797, and -.780. There was a significant difference between the acromioclavicular joint space diameter of males and females (p = 0.000). Conclusion: This study has generated a reference range value of normal acromioclavicular joint space diameter with age in our locality while there is a difference in acromioclavicular joint space between male and female adult Nigerians

Computed Tomography Scanner Distribution and Downtimes in Southeast Nigeria

Background: It is clearly known and documented that the first computed tomography (CT) scanner was installed in 1987 at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Southwest-Nigeria. Ironically, it is neither clearly documented how many more scanners have been installed after then, nor about their functionality. Objective: To establish the actual number and functionality of CT scanners in the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria.Methodology: The survey was undertaken from March – June, 2016. Radiographers across different tertiary hospitals in southeast (SE) Nigeria, were requested through phone calls to ascertain the number of CT scanners in their respective states of residence. Their feedback was crosschecked using entirely different Radiographers. Internet searches were conducted to authenticate some information obtained. For Anambra State where all but one of the authors worked or schooled, physical visits were made to all centres. Data elicited covered scanner specifications, installation details, ownership, and functionality, amongst others. These were recorded in a pro forma sheet and later collated and presented in tables. Result: A total of 23 CT centres with 28 CT scanners were confirmed. These were distributed across the zone as follows: Anambra; 10 (35.8 %), Imo; 6 (21.4 %), Enugu; 6 (21.4 %), Abia; 4 (14.3 %) and Ebonyi; 2 (7.1 %). Private ownership accounted for 19 (68.0 %) of the scanners while the remaining 9 (32.0 %) were distributed between the Federal Government (n = 5; 18.0 %), public-private partnership (n = 2; 7.0 %), and state governments (n = 2; 7.0 %), respectively. Appropriate personnel were engaged in the facilities. Majority of the scanners were installed in the current decade (2006 – 2016). At least 12 (43.0 %) of the scanners experienced downtime within the period of the survey with 7 scanners having downtime ≥ 1 year. Conclusion: There are 23 radiodiagnostic facilities with 28 CT scanners in the Southeast zone of Nigeria. Five facilities each own two scanners. There appears to be a good distribution of CT scanners with appropriate personnel. A high downtime rate was observed, suggesting the need for the employment of centre-based CT engineers, to ensure that CT patients have as prompt an access as can be achieved

Intracranial CT findings in traumatic brain injury: A retrospective, cross-sectional study among Igbo population in Nigeria

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability and in recent years has been increasingly reported even in developing countries. Computed Tomography (CT) plays a key role in accurate TBI diagnosis and management. The objective of this study was to document the pattern of CT findings in TBI cases reported from Igbo people, in Nigeria. Method: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, a sample of 287 patients, who were consecutively referred to the CT Unit of the Radiology Department of Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, Nigeria, between January 2015 and December 2016, on account of trauma to the head was reviewed. Only CT scan without contrast and intracranial findings were considered. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and confidential intervals were collected. Results: After applying exclusion criteria, our sample comprised 242 patients (M = 163, 67.4%; mean age 32.6 ± 17.6 years). The peak age range was 20–29 years. Abnormal findings were reported for 205 patients (84.72%, 95% Confidential Interval [CI] 80.0 to 86.8). Cerebral oedema was the most common finding observed in the study (n = 64, 24.44%, CI 19.03% to 29.85%), followed by subarachnoid haemorrhage (n = 41, 16.94%, CI 12.21% to 21.67%) and epidural haematoma (n = 26, 10.74%, CI 6.84% to 14.64%). Only 37 patients (15.28%) showed normal findings. Main reported causal factors of TBI were: Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) (35.5%), falls (20.2%) and assault (15.7%). Most cases of RTA (34.9%) occurred in the age group of 20–29 years. Discussion and Conclusion: CT brain without contrast is useful in screening of patients with TBI. In this Nigeria-based study the most common cause of TBI was RTA and cerebral oedema was the most common intracranial finding reported

Modulation of ex-vivo uterine contraction by the methanol leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) and preliminary spectrometric identification of associated secondary metabolites

Background: The leaves of Alchornea laxiflora are traditionally used in the south of Nigeria to prevent preterm births.   Aim: This study was designed to investigate the activity of A. laxiflora on uterine contractility.   Setting: The leaves of the plant were collected from forests in Egor, Benin City, Nigeria.   Methods: The leaves were cleaned and extracted in methanol. The extract (0.005 mg/mL–3.5 mg/mL) was tested on spontaneous uterine contraction and on oxytocin-induced contraction in normal and Ca2+-free media. The plant extract (0.0035 mg/mL, 0.035 mg/mL, 0.35 mg/mL and 3.5 mg/mL) was tested on high KCl-induced uterine contractions (80 mM). The plant extract (3.5 mg/mL) was also studied in the presence of amiodarone and glibenclamide in separate experiments. Mass spectrometric analysis was additionally performed on the plant extract in order to identify significant secondary metabolites that may have contributed to the activity of the plant.   Results: The plant extract inhibited spontaneous, oxytocin and high KCl-induced uterine contractions and also significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) oxytocin-induced uterine contraction in Ca2+-free medium. The plant extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) oxytocin’s amplitude in the presence of amiodarone and glibenclamide, respectively. Secondary metabolites belonging to classes of fatty acids, glycols, terpenes, flavonoid glycosides and porphyrins were identified.   Conclusion: Alchornea laxiflora inhibited mouse uterine contractility possibly through interaction with potassium and calcium channels. Of the known metabolites identified, 3-deoxy-arabino-hept-2-ulosonic acid, 17-hydroxyingenol and phaeophorbide-a methyl inhibit uterine contractility and may contribute to the activity of A. laxiflora in utero