Occupational stress among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Occupational stress induced injuries occur in various professions that require repetitive motion or physical exertion, such as Radiography. The injuries may involve body parts such as the neck, the upper back, mid back, low back (waist), knee, elbow, wrist and hand and eyes. OBJECTIVE: To assess work related injuries medical radiographers are prone to, during practice of the profession in relation to their working conditions. METHODS: This study was conducted among registered practicing radiographers in Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria. Lagos is one of Nigeria's most populated states and economic nerve centre of Nigeria. Due to its population, there are many hospitals with radiodiagnostic facilities and radiodiagnostic centres which are either government or privately owned. Eighty registered radiographers in 21 hospitals and diagnostic centres participated in the study. They include three federal government owned institutions, three State government owned institutions and fifteen privately owned diagnostic centres. The respondents' status were made up of 38 males and 42 females where 37 of them were between 20-30 years, 11 were between 41-50 years and those above 51 years were 12. RESULTS: The results revealed that a majority (91.2%) of respondents stand during the course of their work. Waist, neck, heel, wrist and shoulder pains were common among the respondents. Some respondents frequently manifest frustration (78.7 %), insomnia (52.5 %), difficulty in concentration (56.2%), poor appetite (50.0%), irritation (67.5 %) and tension (63.8%) while lesser percentages experience such. CONCLUSION: This study showed that occupational stress sites susceptible to work induced stress injury. Musculoskeletal strain was the most common type. Waist/ low back, plantar/heel and wrist pains were also common among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Achalasia of the oesophagus in infancy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia characteristically causes dismotility of the lower oesophageal sphincter and defective peristalsis of the body of the oesophagus, in response to the act of swallowing, as a result of ganglionic cells degeneration. The resultant oesophageal dilatation leads to food stasis and may cause oesophagitis and tracheobronchial aspiration. Achalasia is a rare occurrence in the paediatric age group and even more extremely rare in the neonate and young infant. Urgent radiologic evaluation of the underlying cause of persistent on-going vomiting in an infant is mandatory. OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the role of upper gastrointestinal imaging in infants with persistent on-going vomiting, severe dehydration and malnutrition through case illustration of a 9-month-old infant seen in a private medical outfit in Lagos. METHODS: Dilute barium oesophagogram, pre- and postoperatively, was performed in a 9-month-old infant and illustrative images were presented. Literature materials on achalasia of the oesophagus were reviewed and juxtaposed with findings in the illustrated case for discussion. RESULTS: Only 3 to 4 percent of achalasia is reported to occur in the paediatric age group with average duration of 28 months from onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Persistent vomiting and failure to thrive are common. Pneumatic dilatations and surgical myotomy are recommended treatment methods. CONCLUSION: Urgent upper gastrointestinal contrast study is appropriate in infants with suspected achalasia for successful management.

Not just any ICD device in patients with long-QT syndrome.

Patients with LQT syndrome are prone to lifethreatening arrhythmias. After surviving such an event, implantation of an ICD is indicated. There are, however, special subtle demands in the treatment of these patients. In this case report we describe our findings in a patient with LQT1 syndrome, and the pitfalls that can and must be avoided. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:418-21.).