6 research outputs found
Correlation between gender and the antero-posterior diameter of normal pancreatic head
No full textBackground: Pancreatic carcinoma involving the head, accounts for most cases of extra hepatic obstruction of the hepato-biliary system and usually go undetected in its early stage. Also, reports show that gender is an independent risk factor for severity of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases and many of these diseases including cases of pancreatic carcinoma, show a gender bias, hence the rationale for the study.Objective: To assess the relationship between the Antero-Posterior (AP) diameter of the pancreatic head and gender using Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scan.Methods: Eighty (80) apparently normal computed tomography (CT) scan images of 41(51.25 %) male and 39 (48.75 %) female subjects were retrospectively, and prospectively, evaluated with their ages which rangedfrom 19 to 70 years, obtained from Image Diagnostics and the Georges Diagnostic Centres, both in PortHarcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria for a period of eight months (January - August, 2016).Results: The mean AP diameter of the pancreatic head in the study population was found to be 2.6 ± 0.3 cm. This result was however, smaller in the males (2.60 ± 0.3 cm) compared to the females (2.70 ± 0.3 cm) in the study population. A weak negative correlation (r = -0.327) was observed between pancreatic head AP diameter and gender (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Results obtained from the present study showed no significant relationship between the AP diameter of the pancreatic head and gender in the study population
Sonographic Assessment of Tendo Calcaneus Thickness in a Nigerian Population
No full textAim: We aimed to determine tendo calcaneus thickness(TCT) and its relationships with body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar, and age and to determine gender impact on TCT in a Nigerian population.
Materials and Methods: The present study adopted a cross‑sectional descriptive research design to assess the TCT of 264 adult participants of a Nigerian population aged 30 years and above. A gray‑scale high‑resolution ultrasound machine, Sonoace 5500, manufactured by Medicol in Korea, with a 10 MHz transducer was used to obtain the sonographic measurements of the tendo calcaneus. The study was carried out at Assurance Medical Diagnostic and Research Center, Calabar. The weight and height of the participants were measured using an electronic weighing scale and meter rule, respectively. Only participants/volunteers whogave their informed consent for the study were included in the study. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Human Research and Ethical Committee of Assurance Medical Diagnostic and Research Center, Calabar, Cross River State. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 16.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results: A strong positive correlation was obtained between TCT and gender (r = 0.72; P < 0.05); TCT also had a positive relationship with BMI (r = 0.421; P < 0.05). The male had significantly thicker tendo calcaneus (5.8 ± 1.4 mm) than their female (5.1 ± 1.6 mm) counterpart (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Results of the present study show that TCT is gender specific and may be useful in cardiovascular risk stratification due to its relationship with BMI, weight, and age, which are known risk factors of tendinopathy and cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Tendinopathy, tendo calcaneus, thickness, ultrasoun
Sonographic Evaluation of Maternal Splenic Dimensions in Normal Pregnancy
No full textAim: We aimed to establish sonographically the range of splenic dimensions in healthy pregnancy and to investigate their relationships with gestational age, maternal age body mass index (BMI), and parity of the mother.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive study of splenic dimensions was performed on 339 healthy, normal pregnant women aged 23–42 years. The spleen was measured with women in supine position on the couch. Scanning of the spleen was done with the women in deep inspiration so that the spleen descends. A Sonoline Omnia ultrasound imaging system with serial number 526,206,526 and model number Cc‐13 H71 fitted with a 3.5 MHz ultrasound probe was used in scanning the spleen along the lower left costal margin from the 9th to the 11th rib at the anterior, mid, and posterior axillary lines with the woman in the right lateral decubitus position using the oblique intercostal approach. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The relationship between splenic dimensions and gestational age, maternal age, and BMI was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The result of the study shows that the mean length, width, thickness, and volume of the spleen of the mothers were 11.9 ± 0.7 cm, 5.7 ± 0.7, 9.5 ± 0.8 cm, and 381.6 ± 111.4 cm3, respectively. Gestational age was significantly correlated positively with splenic length and splenic volume of the mother (r = 0.37 and 0.31, P = 0.000).
Conclusion: Splenic dimensions are higher in pregnant women compared to values reported for nonpregnant women and increases with gestational age and BMI of the mother
Impact of serum uric acid concentration on ultrasound scanned pregnant women in Calabar, Nigeria
No full textObjectives: To evaluate the effect of serum uric acid elevation on the fetus and to determine the existence of a connection between hyperuricemia and gestational hyperten sion (pre-eclampsia).Materials and method: A prospective cross-sectional case-controlled ultrasound scan study was done on 200 singleton pregnant women between 20 to 40 weeks gestational age in a 12-month period. The age range for the cases and control were from 15 to 39 years. Uric acid concentration in the serum obtained from all the women was analyzed utilizing manual colorimetric method. Pearson’s correlation and the student t-tests were used to analyze the data obtained.Results: Maternal serum uric acid had negative correlation with fetal heart rate (FHR) (p = 0.025) and a positive correlation with estimated gestational age (EGA) (p = 0.040) including estimated fetal weight EFW (p = 0.046). A significant positive correlation between uric acid and proteinuria (p = 0.009) was observed. Uric acid was higher in pre-eclamptics than gestational hypertensives (8.528±2.679 mg/dl versus 6.542±1.746 mg/dl, p = 0.016). Also, uric acid in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was higher than the normotensives (7.535±2.165 mg/dl versus 5.437±1.636 mg/dl).Conclusion: Maternal hyperuricemia predisposes to fetal bradycardia which may have possibly led to the two fetal demise recorded in the present study. Increased EFW with hyperuricemia may be due to higher body mass index (BMI) of the subjects. Therefore, high serum uric acid has a significant role in foretelling the appearance of preeclampsia but not gestational hypertension
An update on the role of podiatrists in sports medicine
No full textIntroduction: sports medicine is certainly the domain of physicians, whereas, there are some places where it is that of nonphysicians. With the general increase in sporting activities there has been an increase in sports injuries, both from acute and from overuse trauma. Podiatry emerges as solution for athletes and sports players. The objective was to characterize the role of podiatrists in sports medicine.
Methods: a literature review was conducted, where 19 articles in English and Spanish were selected, published in the last five years on the subject, in databases such as: Scopus, PubMed, Researchgate, Springer.
Results: podiatry has its peak in this area when sports lesions were addressed not only preventively but also via biomechanical methods. The physician recognizing and addressing the biomechanical abnormality may potentially prevent an injury that could have led to a subsequently missed competition. The role of prevention in athletes is centered on a comprehensive biomechanical examination combined with an understanding of the risk factors for common overuse or traumatic injuries. The fit feet exam is a screening of the lower extremities of Olympics athletes. It includes musculoskeletal, dermatological and biomechanics evaluations.
Conclusions: the evaluation of an athlete finds it base in a deep understanding of the feet biomechanics. Physical examination allows to recognize the patient´s needs and identify possible pathologies. The treatment includes conservative and non-conservative indications, most popular are medication, footwear modifications and orthoses
Psychological stress of Covid-19 pandemic on radiography students in Nigeria: a single centre study
No full textBackground: Psychological stress triggers physical and emotional responses that can impact various bodily functions. This study aimed to assess the psychological stress experienced by radiography students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify their coping strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire among 186 radiography students. The survey collected socio-demographic data, such as gender, age, and academic year, along with responses related to psychological distress. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: Among the 186 respondents, 96 (51.6%) were female, and 90 (48.4%) were male. The majority (62.4%) was aged 20-24 years, and the largest group (38.7%) was in their third year of study (300 Level). Over half (58.1%) of the students lived on campus, and most (87.6%) attended physical classes. A significant proportion (75.3%) reported somatic stress, with common symptoms including headaches (25.3%), physical fatigue (23.5%), and back pain (12.4%). Anxiety-related symptoms included sleep disturbances (36.6%), anger (31.2%), and anxiety (29.2%). Depression affected 87.6% of the respondents, with symptoms such as lack of motivation to study (34.9%), difficulty concentrating (25.3%), hopelessness (17.2%), and suicidal thoughts (10.2%). The main social factors contributing to psychological distress were difficulty in studying (36%), financial problems (22%), and challenges with learning modalities (18.8%). Excessive worrying (52.7%) was the most common psychological factor. The most prevalent impact of psychological distress was low motivation to work (29.6%). Social media was the most frequently used coping strategy (18.3%). There was no significant association between somatic stress and academic year/level (p = 0.319). However, a significant association was found between anxiety and academic level/year (p = 0.050) and between academic level/year and depression (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Radiography students experienced significant psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily manifested as somatic stress, anxiety, and depressio
