Perspectives of radiologists in Ghana about the emerging role of artificial intelligence in radiology.

Background: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies in medicine is advancing rapidly especially in the field of radiology. This however, is at a slow pace in Africa, hence, this study to evaluate the perspectives of Ghanaian radiologists. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional prospective study was collected between September and November 2021 through an online survey and entered into SPSS for analysis. A Mann-Whitney U test assisted in checking for possible gender differences in the mean Likert scale responses on the radiologists' perspectives about AI in radiology. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The study comprised 77 radiologists, with more males (71.4%). 97.4% were aware of the concept of AI, with their initial exposure via conferences (42.9%). The majority of the respondents had average awareness (36.4%) and below average expertise (44.2%) in radiological AI usage. Most of the participants (54.5%) stated, they do not use AI in their practices. The respondents disagreed that AI will ultimately replace radiologists in the near future (average Likert score = 3.49, SD = 1.096) and that AI should be an integral part of the training of radiologists (average Likert score = 1.91, SD = 0.830). Conclusion: Although the radiologists had positive opinions about the capabilities of AI, they exhibited an average awareness of and below average expertise in the usage of AI applications in radiology. They agreed on the potential life changing impact of AI and were of the view that AI will not replace radiologists but serve as a complement. There was inadequate radiological AI infrastructure in Ghana.

Evaluation of the anatomical locations and sizes of uterine fibroids from ultrasound examination in Ghana.

Background: Uterine fibroids locations and sizes, have significant influences on the quality of life of women especially pregnant women and on live birth rate. Objectives: To determine the anatomical locations and sizes of uterine fibroids and assess any possible associations with age groups. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the locations and sizes of a total of 3,542 patients who were ultrasonographically diagnosed with uterine fibroids from January 2019 to December 2021. The obtained data were analysed using GNU PSPP, and Python on Jupyter Notebook with statistical significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: The overall average diameter of uterine myoma was 5.50±2.60cm (95%CI=5.41-5.58, range=1.00cm-19.10cm) and the respective mean diameter of intramural, subserosal and submucosal fibroids were 5.53±2.60cm (95%CI=5.44-5.62), 5.50±2.27cm (95%CI=5.27-5.74) and 5.82±2.77cm (95%CI=5.49-6.14). Most of the fibroid nodules were small (48.36%, n=1713) and only 5.84% (n=207) were large (>10cm). Posterofundal fibroids and lower anterior myomas were mostly seen in the 35-44 years age class. Conclusion: The majority of the uterine fibroids were intramural and were mostly at the anterior uterine wall. The submucosal fibroids, even though the rarest, were averagely larger than the other types of uterine myomas. The diameter of uterine fibroids increased with age.

Parry Romberg Syndrome in a Young Ghanaian: A Case Report and a Literature Review.

Parry Romberg syndrome (PRS), also known as progressive hemifacial atrophy, is a very rare self-limiting disease, which affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues, underlying musculature, cartilage, and bony structures of one half of the face with a resultant hemiatrophy and alopecia areata. It presents in children and young adults, with a slow progression of the atrophy for several years, and then becomes stable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of the cranium demonstrates the radiological feature of hemiatrophy very clearly. We report a case of PRS in a nine-year-old girl with characteristic features which was diagnosed based on medical history, clinical signs, and radiological findings on cranial CT scan and MRI.

MRI features in the non-traumatic spinal cord injury patients presenting at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.

BACKGROUND: Neurological limb deficit due to non-traumatic myelopathy is a disabling and distressing neurological condition. In recent time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has proven to be the ultimate imaging modality for evaluating pathologies of the spinal cord. OBJECTIVE: To describe the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features of patients with Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury evaluated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: Out of a total of 141 MRI's evaluated 60.3% were males and 39.7% female. The majority of the respondents 85.1% had paraparesis/paraplegia, 13.5% had quadriparesis/quadriplegia, 1.4% had weakness in one upper limb and both lower limbs. The commonest MRI features of NTSCI recorded was due to degenerative disease of the spine 75.9%, spinal metastases 5.7%, Pott's /pyogenic spondylitis 3.5%, demyelinating disease 2.8% and primary spinal tumours 2.8%. CONCLUSION: The commonest MRI findings in the study population were due to degenerative disease of the spine, followed by spinal metastases and infective spondylitis. FUNDING: Not declared.

Pneumatic reduction of intussusception in children at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital: an initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in children which necessitates prompt diagnosis and management. Nonsurgical methods of managing this condition are rapidly gaining popularity with fluoroscopic-guided pneumatic reduction being one of such methods that has been used with great success in many countries. We present our initial experience with fluoroscopic-guided pneumatic reduction of intussusception at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital which is also the first time the technique has been used in Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 children were enrolled in the study between August 2007 and February 2008 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Patients were given air enema under fluoroscopic-guidance using locally assembled equipment. The intraluminal pressure was monitored with a pressure gauge and was not permitted to go above 120 mmHg. A total of three attempts of 3 min each were allowed. RESULTS: There were 12 males and 6 females. The average age of the patients was 8.3 months (SD= 3 months). Twelve (67%) of the cases were reduced successfully while 6 (33%) failed to reduce. A majority of those that did not reduced had symptoms for at least 2 days. Bowel perforation occurred in three (16.7%) cases. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic reduction of intussusception is a cost-effective and rapid method of management of intussusception. It however has limitations like high reported rate of bowel perforation and limited ability to identify lead points. The benefits however seem to outweigh these challenges, such as fluoroscopic-guided pneumatic reduction has a very high success rate. Fluoroscopic guided pneumatic reduction should be considered as one of the primary modes of reduction in Ghana and other neighbouring countries that are yet to practice it.