26 research outputs found
Sonographic assessment of kidneys and associated abdominal findings in patients with renal parenchymal diseases
No full textBackground: The renal parenchymal diseases were common pathological conditions that involved the renal parenchyma. They cause damage to interstitia and glomerula and result in renal failure if left undiagnosed and untreated. The objective of the study was to assess the kidneys in renal parenchymal diseases in Sudanese patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved two hundred and six patients confirmed with renal parenchymal diseases. All the patients were scanned using ultrasonography. The echogenicity, kidney size, surface and thickness of renal cortex were assessed and the related abdominal findings.Results: A total of 206 patients diagnosed and confirmed renal parenchymal diseases had been selected for the study. The kidneys were normal in size in 47.10% the cases, 30.58% were small and 19.42% were large. The echogenicity of the kidneys was increased in 93.69% and normal echogenicity observed in 5.34% of the cases. The renal cortical thickness was normal in 65.05% and thin in 33.50% of the cases. There were no obstructive changes in the renal pelvicalyceal system in 86.41%, while dilatation observed only in 7.28% of the cases. Abdominal findings were observed in 65.05% of the cases. The most common abdominal findings were 26 cases of ascites, 10 with pleural effusion, 6 with benign prostatic hypertrophy and 4 with liver cirrhosis.Conclusions: Sonographic evaluation of kidneys in renal parenchymal diseases is very important in diagnosis and management. Pleural effusion, ascites and liver cirrhosis were the most common systematic findings accompanied with renal parenchymal diseases.</jats:p
Sonographic assessment of thyroid gland in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis
No full textBackground: Thyroid gland morphology and disorders were affected with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The study aims to assess thyroid gland disorders and morphology in patients with CKD on regular hemodialysis.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study included 71 participants divided into two groups. The study group included 51 patients with known chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis and healthy group included 20 participants. The exclusion criteria were thyroid disorders. The thyroid gland was scanned with ultrasound using a 7 MHz probe.Results: The thyroid is enlarged in 21.57% of patients and heterogeneous echotexture in 31.4%. The prevalence of thyroid nodules and cysts were 9.8% and 7.8% respectively. A positive linear correlation existed between duration of hemodialysis and thyroid volume. Thyroid volume and echotexture were significantly increased with duration of hemodialysis (p = .001 and .00 respectively). Thyroid nodules and cysts were not significantly correlated with duration of hemodialysis (p = .06 and .28 respectively).Conclusions: In conclusion, enlargement of thyroid gland and heterogeneity of thyroid tissue were the most common morphological changes in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. The prevalence increased with longer duration of hemodialysis. Periodic ultrasound assessment of thyroid volume and texture are recommended in hemodialyzed patients to avoid complications.</jats:p
Sonographic Findings in Posterior Segment of the Eye in Sudanese Adult Patients Examined with Cataract
No full textExploring Interventional Radiology: A Multicentre Study on Saudi Medical and Radiology Technology Students&rsquo; Perspectives
No full textShrooq Aldahery,1 Renad Qwader,1 Raghad Talal Asiri,1 Afnan Al-Alfy,1 Lubna Bushara,1 Abdulaziz Qurashi,2 Fahad H Alhazmi,2 Awadia Gareeballah,2 Adnan AS Alahmadi,3 Mohamed Yousef,4 Hanady Osman,4 Walaa Alsharif,2 Khalid M Alshamrani5– 7 1Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Diagnostic Radiology Technology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia; 3Radiologic Sciences Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Radiological Sciences Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia; 5College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Shrooq Aldahery, Email [email protected]: Interventional radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of diagnostic radiology that uses image-guided radiological methods to carry out minimally invasive procedures. Medical schools in Saudi Arabia minimally expose students to IR unless it is part of an elective rotation. The study aims to gauge how well informed medical and radiology technology students are regarding the variations in educational and clinical experiences offered at different universities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It also aims to assess students’ interest in IR as a potential career path and their opinions about their life experiences concerning the department’s future.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design. Between April and May 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, students studying radiology technology and medicine who were in their second year to internship year were given access to a cross-sectional questionnaire.Results: The study found that 31.5% of the students reported having poor knowledge of IR, while 7.8% reported not knowing about it at all. Additionally, 45.9% of respondents felt that their knowledge was adequate, while a minority of 14.7% reported having an excellent understanding of IR concepts. Therefore, in order to enhance students’ knowledge about IR, IR courses should be introduced early into curricula, IR symposiums and conferences.Conclusion: The limited exposure of medical and radiology technology students to IR was highlighted. Over one-third indicated interest in IR as a career, with radiology technology students demonstrating greater familiarity. Enhancing IR education through early curriculum integration, symposiums, and conferences is essential. Furthermore, addressing the lack of a standardized radiology curriculum in Saudi medical schools could further enhance IR awareness and career development.Keywords: interventional radiology, awareness, students, knowledge, caree
Doppler sonographic assessment of carotid arteries in Sudanese stroke patients
No full textBACKGROUND: Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were considered to be associated with several public health problems.
OBJECTIVE: the study aims to explore the hemodynamic of carotid arteries in association with hypertension, diabetes, and smoking in Sudanese stroke patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a quantitative descriptive study, fifty patients with stroke were scanned by B-mode and Doppler sonography. Carotid arteries were investigated with a 7-MHz linear transducer by a standard carotid sonography protocol.
RESULTS: The average Doppler resistive index (RI) was 0.71 ± 0.084 and intima-media thickness was 1.39 ± 0.78 mm. The end diastolic velocities (EDVs) and peak systolic velocities (PSVs) of common carotid arteries were significantly changed in smokers and hypertensive (P < 0.05). The elevation of RI in right and left CCAs were significantly correlated with smokers (P = 0.017 and 0.010 respectively). Hemorrhagic stroke was most prevalent in hypertensive rather than diabetic and smokers. The carotid hemodynamics changed significantly in hypertensive and smokers more than diabetics.
CONCLUSION: EDV and PSV were significantly correlated with hypertension and tobacco smoking rather than diabetes. Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking have an association with stroke and hand significant effect on carotid artery hemodynamic and atherosclerotic disease. The Doppler RIs were significantly correlated with smokers. Patients with risk factors of stroke should be scanned with Doppler sonography as early as possible
Optimizing Radiation Risk Assessment in CT Imaging: Establishing Institutional Diagnostic Reference Levels and Personalized Dose Strategies for Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Scans
No full textBackground: As a diagnostic radiology procedure, computed tomography (CT) contributes to patient radiation exposure; hence, it deserves special consideration. The use of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) is an efficient way to optimize patient radiation dosage. The computed tomography dose index volume (CTDIv) and the dose-length product (DLP) help to measure DRLs. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 106 patients (43.9% male, 56.1% female; mean age of 48.18 years) who underwent computed tomography chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CT CAP) scans using a Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160-slice CT scanner. Data included patient demographics, CT parameters (mA, tube rotation time, pitch, slice thickness, and slice count), and dose indices: dose length product (DLP), computed tomography dose index volume (CTDIvol), and effective dose. Cancer risks were calculated based on effective dose, patient demographics, and scan parameters. Results: This study demonstrated that the mean values for DLP, CTDIvol, and effective dose were 1719.64 ± 488.45 mGy·cm, 25.97 ± 6.96 mGy, and 27.5 ± 7.82 mSv, respectively. Cancer risk estimates ranged from 0.048% to 1.58%, with higher risks observed for females, younger patients. Significant correlations were found between dose indices and technical parameters, including pitch, kVp, tube rotation time, and slice thickness (p < 0.005). Conclusions: The mean values for DLP, CTDIvol, and effective dose for abdominopelvic scans were higher than those found in previous studies, with significant correlation of weight on these values. Optimizing CT protocols and establishing DRLs tailored to clinical indications are critical for minimizing radiation exposure and enhancing patient safety
Sensitivity and Features of Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Meta-analysis
No full textIntroduction: Early diagnosis of COVID-19 is important for disease
treatment and management. Computed Tomography (CT) is a fast
and easy modality for diagnosis and management plan of patients
with COVID-19. In the literature, several studies were done to
assess the sensitivity of CT for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in
comparison to Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR). Some studies stated that CT was more sensitive
diagnostic modality for COVID-19 than RT-PCR. However, the
sensitivity of CT for COVID-19 varies in these studies.
Aim: This literature review and meta-analysis was designed to
determine the CT features of COVID-19 pneumonia, to verify the
pooled sensitivity of CT for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to
review the different reasons (e.g., the disease stage or severity
and the negative or positive RT-PCR results) for the variations
in CT sensitivity.
Materials and Methods: This review analysed 31 articles
selected from the Europe BMC, PubMed, Science Direct, and
Scopus databases. Participant gender mean and median age, CT
features of COVID-19 pneumonia were sought for and reviewed.
The data was analysed using Microsoft excel version 10 and
OpenMeta (Analyst) software (http://www.cebm.brown.edu/
openmeta/) to verify the pooled sensitivity of CT in detection and
diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia using meta-analyses forest
plot, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, cumulative
meta-analyses forest plot and leave one forest plot.
Results: The most common CT findings of COVID-19 pneumonia
were bilateral lung involvement, Ground Glass Opacity (GGO),
and consolidation, and Crazy-paving pattern. The CT finding
is more prominent in symptomatic and severe cases than in
a symptomatic and mild cases specifically the presence of
consolidation and peripherals lesion distribution. The pooled
sensitivity of CT is 90% in diagnosis and detection of COVID19 pneumonia (ranged 60-100%).
Conclusion: Combination of CT chest and laboratory tests
along with clinical manifestation and epidemiological features
should be considered to confirm the final diagnosis of COVID19 pneumonia
Efficacy of ultrasonography and mammography in detecting features of breast cancer
No full textIntroduction:
Breast cancer (BC) is considered one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Early detection is critical for effective management. This study aims to assess the utility of ultrasonography (US) and mammography (MG) in detecting BC features.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study involved the electronic records of 263 female patients diagnosed with BC. The mean age was 45.71 ± 12.25 years (17–90 years). A cross-tabulation test was performed to correlate the presence of each malignant feature (Yes/No) on both US and MG and the final ultrasonography diagnosis (benign/malignant). The compatibility between the presence of each feature on both imaging techniques was measured by the percentage of agreement in reporting the feature that was reported as Kappa. The sensitivity and specificity for each feature were calculated, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to measure the area under the curve for each feature on both modalities.
Results:
The strong compatibility between the two techniques was 87.1%, 94.29%, 66.92%, 79.85%, 77.56%, 77.18, and 79.84% for irregular shape, uncircumscribed, spiculated margins, tissue distortion, nipple retraction, skin thickening, and the presence of lymphadenopathy, respectively (P < 0.001). Boxplots show that the sensitivity of the US ranged from 37% to 95%, and the specificity ranged from 27% to 91%. However, MG’s sensitivity ranged from 44% to 93%, and the specificity ranged from 36% to 73%.
Conclusion:
US and MG images show similar morphological changes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy in breast lesions. US characterizes echogenicity, provides real-time imaging, and uses color and pulsed Doppler techniques for vascularity and lymphadenopathy detection, while MG is better for identifying different calcification types
Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Rehabilitation: Perceptions, Knowledge, and Challenges Among Healthcare Providers
No full textBackground/Objectives: The current literature reveals a gap in understanding how rehabilitation professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, perceive and prepare to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in their practices. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study to assess the perceptions, knowledge, and willingness of rehabilitation healthcare providers to implement AI in practice. Methods: This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia, with data collected from 430 physical therapy professionals via an online SurveyMonkey questionnaire between January and March 2024. The survey assessed demographics, AI knowledge and skills, and perceived challenges. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS 27) and DATAtab (version 2025), with frequencies, percentages, and nonparametric tests used to examine the relationships between the variables. Results: The majority of respondents (80.9%) believed that AI would be integrated into physical therapy in future, with 78.6% seeing AI as significantly impacting their work. While 61.4% thought that AI would reduce workload and enhance productivity, only 30% expressed concerns about AI endangering their profession. A lack of formal AI training has commonly been reported, with social media platforms being respondents’ primary source of AI knowledge. Despite these challenges, 85.1% expressed an eagerness to learn and use AI. Organizational preparedness was a significant barrier, with 45.6% of respondents reporting that their organizations lacked AI strategies. There were insignificant differences in the mean rank of AI perceptions or knowledge based on the gender, years of experience, and qualification degree of the respondents. Conclusions: The results demonstrated a strong interest in AI implementation in physical therapy. The majority of respondents expressed confidence in AI’s future utility and readiness to incorporate it into their practice. However, challenges, such as a lack of formal training and organizational preparedness, were identified. Overall, the findings highlight AI’s potential to revolutionize physical therapy while underscoring the necessity to address training and readiness to fully realize this potential
