Effectiveness of radiology modalities in diagnosing and characterizing brain disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans in evaluating neurological disorders. METHODS: This retrospective research used CT or MRI to diagnose and characterize brain disorders. Patients' records suffering from neurological disorders were considered eligible for inclusion, regardless of the time of appearance of symptoms, the severity of their symptoms, or their final clinical diagnosis. The exclusion criteria for this study involved patients who did not undergo either a CT or MRI scan. A chi-square test was performed to observe the association between the study variables. A total of 3155 cases were analyzed. RESULTS: The most prevalent comorbid was dyslipidemia 670 (21.6%) followed by hypertension 548 (17.6%). Overall brain disorders were confirmed in 2426 (77%) patients. It was observed that half of the patients 1543 (48.9%) were diagnosed with stroke. It was found that the accuracy of CT and MRI was 78% and 74% respectively. The association of modalities, patient type, and gender with the confirmation of diseases was not found significant (p=>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that CT and MRI were accurate by more than 75% and no difference was between both techniques to detect neurological disorders.

Sensitivity and specificity of nuclear medicines (DTPA and DMSA) with magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing bone metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of bone metastases in individuals increases at advanced stages of cancer, mostly in patients suffering from lung, breast, or prostate cancer. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bone metastases diagnosis of nuclear medicine, CT scan, and MRI in detecting bone metastases among patients with lung, breast, and prostate carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study design was adopted for the analysis of 120 recruited patients (with the presence of bone metastasis) following a series of examinations and tests. RESULTS: Better sensitivity (73.33%) and specificity (94.66%) for MRI as compared to SPECT. MRI also proved to be more sensitive (68%) and specific (95.74%), as compared to the findings of the CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: The results conclude that MRI provided favorable diagnostic performance for bone metastasis. It emphasizes that diagnosis using MRI may enable practitioners to devise optimal carcinoma treatment strategies. The healthcare practitioners need to assess the MRI findings to determine improved treatment plans.

Significance of nuclear medicine scan in comparison with diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid and ultrasound imaging in diagnosing renal disorders: An observational study.

The effectiveness of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid scan is regularly monitored for the assessment of any potential modifications in treatment responses or kidney functions in the pediatric population.This study attempts to compare the usefulness of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid and ultrasound imaging of renal disorders among paediatric patients.A retrospective observational study was conducted by enrolling 106 children. The demographic details such as: participant's age, gender, and the history of renal disease of each patient were recorded. Patients were administered radiopharmaceuticals in a fixed dose and were later subjected to computed tomography (CT) scan. The obtained data was analysed using descriptive statistics.Findings indicated increased sensitivity for CT (61.20%); whereas, a major decrease in specificity (23.68%) was observed. Comparison of Single-photon emission CT (SPECT) and CT findings revealed the increased sensitivity (90.90%) for ultrasound; whereas, there was a slight decrease in the specificity (40%) for SPECT. However, SPECT findings show 91% sensitivity among patients with 71.42% positive predictive value. Moreover, an increase in sensitivity for CT (61.20%), followed by a major decrease in specificity (23.68%) was observed.Ultrasonography has been proved to be the safest and the most effective method for the diagnosis and the treatment of most renal disorders, due to the higher predictive value of SPECT scans. It is thus suggested that patients with ureteral calculi should be diagnosed with renal scintigraphy and unenhanced helical computerized tomography.

Evaluation of Cardiac Scan in Diagnosing Coronary-artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: With the evaluation of focal epicardial coronary stenosis and non-obstructive atherosclerosis, the cardiac scans play a significant role in diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). Moreover, the advancements in the imaging techniques leading to improved risk assessment and timely therapies help in early diagnosis of CAD with greater accuracy. AIMS: To evaluate the role of cardiac scan in diagnosing CAD. METHODS: Recruited 100 individuals without any history of CAD that refers to the assessment of suspected angina, conducted the prospective study. Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings assisted in the evaluation of left bundle branch blockage, abnormalities of ST-segment, and pathological Q waves. RESULTS: The results depicted negative N.M findings among 38 respondents; whereas, ischemia and myocardial infarctions were diagnosed in 26% and 19% of the respondents, respectively. The majority of the males (59) were positive in contrast to 37 females with positive results. Similarly, 24 respondents were presented with mild dilated left atria (LA), 37 respondents suffered from impaired relaxation pattern of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling; while, 40 of the respondents had normal global LV systolic function. CONCLUSION: The study results have concluded that non-invasive, low-risk, and cost-effective technique like ECG is an important beneficial advancement in the diagnosis of CAD.

Assessment of Sensitivity, Specificity, and Accuracy of Nuclear Medicines, CT Scan, and Ultrasound in Diagnosing Thyroid Disorders.

PURPOSE: The study aims to investigate the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of nuclear medicine, CT scan, and ultrasonography to diagnose the disorders related to the thyroid gland. METHODOLOGY: The study is based on the retrospective approach of recruiting 52 patients suffering from thyroid disorders. The demographic details of each patient have been recorded. Moreover, the results of previously conducted nuclear medicine scan, CT scan, and ultrasound have also been assessed. The findings of all the tests have been compared to evaluate and compare their sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were recruited for the study among which 41 were female and 11 were males. The findings of SPECT and MRI were compared, which revealed that MRI possessed 38.8% sensitivity and 22.22% specificity. As compared to the findings of CT scan, increased specificity (71.42%) and sensitivity (70.96%) have been identified in MRI. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in the sensitivity and specificity of MRI outcomes as compared to the nuclear medicine and CT scan.

Screening for thyroid diseases among students of applied medical sciences at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the occurrence rate of thyroid ultrasound abnormalities in asymptomatic subjects, and describe the features of detected nodules among university students. METHODS: The study is based on an observational research design that was conducted from April 2015 to May 2015. The study included 166 individuals, aged between 19 and 23 years. The subjects had their glands examined by ultrasound (US) scanning, using Philips ultrasound machine (5-12 MHz linear transducer). RESULTS: We recruited 90 (57.8%) females and 76 (42.2%) males without any indications of thyroid disease. Data estimated that 41 (24.7%) subjects had positive results on thyroid disease screening, 24 (70.6%) participants had solitary nodules, and 10 (29.4%) had multiple nodules. Thirty-four subjects revealed nodular presentation in the screening, among which 24 (70.6%) indicated solitary nodules and 10 (29.4%) had multiple nodules. Among 3 subjects, who indicated hypoechoic nodules, 2 (66.7%) underwent US-fine needle aspiration biopsy and received histological confirmation that they had papillary carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a useful and effective technique for screening thyroid related diseases, and can be utilized as a routine practice for general population screening.

Value of Magnetic Resonance Urography Versus Computerized Tomography Urography (CTU) in Evaluation of Obstructive Uropathy: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive uropathy is a common public health issue that requires imaging research for providing necessary information. The data is important for determining treatment options, and may influence selective management choices. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine whether magnetic resonance urography or computerized tomography urography is the best imaging modality among patients with suspected obstructive uropathy. METHODS: Seventy patients; referred from the emergency department for the evaluation of renal colic or hematuria that highly suggested urinary tract abnormalities, were prospectively enrolled. Thirty five women and 35 men were categorized with a mean age of 43.52 years and the mean body weight of 61.31 kg. All participants underwent abdominal ultrasonography and clinical examination to detect the causes of urinary obstruction. Pregnant women were excluded from the study. Both magnetic resonance urography and computerized tomography urography were performed within 30 days of each analysis. RESULTS: Only 54.3% of the participants had urinary stones. Mean size of the renal stone was 11 mm; while mean size of the ureteral stone was 3.8 mm. The approach of magnetic resonance is not only limited to diagnosis, but is also effectively involved in the real time investigations. MRU has more reliability in terms of the diagnosis and anatomic presentation of the kidneys along with the vasculature. All cases of urinary stones were detected by computed tomography (100%); whereas, 78.9% cases were detected by magnetic resonance urography. CONCLUSION: Computerized tomography urography is more sensitive in detecting kidney stones; whereas, magnetic resonance urography is better in detecting pathology behind the development of kidney stones.