Background: COVID-19, a zoonotic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, is responsible for the pandemic of 2020. Despite the availability and usefulness of chest radiographs (CXR) in diagnosis and monitoring of suspected as well as infected patients with COVID-19, there is paucity of studies about imaging findings in COVID-19 from Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Aim: This study aims to describe the findings and correlates of chest radiographic appearances in COVID-19 pneumonia at Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at radiology units of four radiology diagnostic facilities that were very active during the peak period of the pandemic in Kano metropolis. All patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and also underwent chest radiographic examinations at these facilities were included. The findings considered in the evaluation were the presence or absence and the type of pulmonary or pleural lesions/abnormality, and their distribution; including their association with demographics and clinical presentations. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Of 125 patients, 98 (78.4%) were male. The mean age was 57.3 ± 12 years. One hundred and one (80.8%) of them had abnormal chest radiographic findings. These patients showed significant higher occurrences of anosmia than those with normal CXRs (P < 0.05). The occurrence of ground-glass opacity in both lower zones was significantly seen in 43 (62.3%) patients between 40 and 60 years and in 40 (85%) of those older than 60. Anosmia and age were respectively the only symptoms that independently predict if the COVID-19 patient may likely present with the abnormal CXRs or not (0.175 [0.057–0.542] P = 0.002; 3.7 [1.423–9.622] P = 0.007). Conclusions: Majority of our patients presents with abnormalities on CXRs. Older age, anosmia were the major predictors of chest radiographic abnormalities, which were mainly bilateral asymmetric lower zones ground glass opacities.

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Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Approximately 70% of cancer mortalities occur in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria largely due to late presentation. Majority of cancer deaths are largely preventable, accessible to screening and early detection. The care of cancer patients on admission is generally known to be time consuming and challenging. Reports on pattern and outcome of admission in cancer patients are scarce in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to provide data on the pattern and outcome of admission on a ward that is solely for the care of cancer patients. Methodology: This is a one-year retrospective study of cancer patients admitted between June 1st 2018 to May 31st 2019. The patients' information was extracted from the ward's admission book and duplicate of the death certificate. Data collected were analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Results: A total of 318 admissions were recorded with female preponderance. More than half of the patients admitted were 40 to 59 years old. Majority of the patients 225 (70.8%) came from south western part of the country followed by the south south 55(17.3%). The commonest sites of primary disease were breast 81(25.5%), cervix 74 (23%), head and neck 43 (13.5%), gastrointestinal 49 (12.6%) and genitourinary cancers 23 (7.2%). Most of the patients admitted have stage 4 disease. 127 (39.9%) of the patients died on admission while 191 (60.1%) were discharged. There was statistically significant association between stage 4 disease and increased mortality (p=0.026). Breast cancers accounts for 40(31.5%) of mortality, cervix cancer 31(24.4%), head and neck cancer 16 (12.6%), genitourinary cancer 9 (7.1%), gastrointestinal cancer 6 (4.7%) and skin cancer 6(4.7%). Conclusion: Breast and cervical cancer were the commonest cases admitted. About 40% of the admitted died on the ward. The patients were mostly female in their productive ages.

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Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) is a major health concern with rising incidence especially in Black African populations. Digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS) of the prostate, and prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) values are useful adjuncts in early diagnosis of CaP. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the role of TRUS and PSAD and their correlation with histopathologic findings in patients with DRE features suspicious of CaP. Patients and Methods: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 100 male patients with suspected CaP based on DRE and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values recruited from the urology clinic and wards of the hospital during 2018–2019. All patients had clinical evaluation, biodata documentation, and grayscale TRUS while PSA values were determined using immunoassay method. PSAD was calculated by dividing the PSA value by the TRUS prostate volume. P ≤ 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 66.70 ± 9.60 years with age range of 44–90 years. TRUS features of heterogeneous echotexture (n = 37; 37%), regular outline (n = 73; 73%), and intact capsule (n = 77; 77%) showed the highest frequencies. TRUS alone (P = 0.189, 0.214 and 0.265 for echopattern, outline, and capsular integrity, respectively) was not statistically significant in differentiating between benignity and malignancy. Total mean PSAD was 0.63 ± 0.32 ng/ml/cm³ while the highest mean PSAD was observed in patients with irregular glandular outline (0.74 ± 0.17 ng/ml/cm³) and in those with solitary hypoechoic nodules (0.73 ± 0.61 ng/ml/cm³). There was statistically significant correlation between PSAD values and outcome of prostate biopsy (P = 0.031). Conclusion: PSAD showed a positive correlation with outcome of prostate biopsy as well as greater predictability of CaP than TRUS which was not statistically significant in differentiating between benignity and malignancy.

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Background: The carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) has been established as an early predictor of general arteriosclerosis in patients with diabetes. However, there is a paucity of information on CIMT of the common carotid artery (CCA) in healthy patients and in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as diabetics, hypertension, and obesity in our environment. The aim of this study was to compare the CIMT in adult patients with diabetes and normal subjects in our institution in Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This case–control study was conducted over a period of 8 months (from April 2015 to December 2015) at Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, on 105 adult diabetic patients and 105 normal adults aged 18 years and above. The CCA was scanned with a PHILIPS HD-9 ultrasound scanner equipped with Doppler facility using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. Three measurements of the CIMT were obtained at 1 cm proximal to the right and left carotid bulbs and the mean value of the measurements was recorded. Results: The age range of the diabetics comprising 54% of males and 46% of females was 23–79 years, while the range of control group comprising of 53% of males and 47% of females was 18–68 years. The overall mean CIMT (MCIMT) was 0.97 ± 0.4 mm and 0.73 ± 0.1 mm for diabetics and nondiabetic subjects, respectively. MCIMT was significantly higher in diabetics compared to nondiabetic subjects (P = 0.000). In diabetics, overall MCIMT values were 0.96 ± 0.2 mm and 0.91 ± 0.2 mm on the right and left sides, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the two sides (P = 0.000), while in the normal group, the overall MCIMT values on the right and left sides were 0.75 ± 0.1 mm and 0.73 ± 0.1 mm, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the two sides (P = 0.021). Furthermore, CIMT correlated positively with age in both diabetic and control groups. Conclusion: This study has shown a statistically significant increase in CIMT in diabetics compared to nondiabetics and age shows a significant correlation with CIMT. Reference value for CIMT in nondiabetic subjects in Northeastern Nigeria has been obtained.

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Introduction: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocimetry in sickle cell patients using noninvasive transcranial ultrasound scan is an important index for predicting stroke. Stroke is one of the most feared clinical complications of sickle cell anemia. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) enables early detection of arterial abnormalities to institute primary preventive measures. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study were to determine the normal range of time-averaged mean maximal velocities (TAMMAX) in the MCA on imaging TCD ultrasound in stable sickle cell patients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from December 2016 to May 2017 in the Radiology Department of ABUTH, Zaria. Stable sickle cell anemic children numbering 75 within the age of 2–16 years were recruited for the study. Approval was granted by the ethical committee of ABUTH. The TAMMAX of the MCA was measured by Doppler ultrasound which is done with the patient lying supine, the probe is placed on the temporal bone after application of the gel and the MCA assessed on grayscale, color, and spectral Doppler. The results were recorded in the datasheet. Data Analysis: All measurements were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant and a confidence interval of 95% was used. TAMMAX was classified based on the STOP criteria. Findings were presented in the form of summarizing indices (tables and charts). Means and standard deviations were computed. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in the final data with a mean age of 8.5 years and male-to-female ratio was 1.04:1. The mean TAMMAX of sickle cell subjects was 84.32 cm/s and 80.31 cm/s in the right and left MCA, respectively. Conclusion: The TAMMAX of stable sickle cell disease patients all fell below 170 cm/s and so the detection of abnormal velocities during the scan is an indicator of the likelihood of stroke and so preventive measures can be instituted early.

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Background: Seizures are intracranial neuronal disorders that are observed globally but often poorly investigated and managed in developing countries. The advent of modern diagnostic tools, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, is highly important in patient's workup toward diagnoses and subsequent management. Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the pattern of brain CT findings in adult patients presenting with seizure disorders in Kaduna and its environs. Materials and Methods: This is a 24-month retrospective and descriptive study carried out on 81 patients who presented between January 2017 and December 2018 at the Department of Radiology, National Ear Care Centre (NECC), Kaduna. Most of these patients with seizure disorders were normally referred to this center from within the state and from the neighboring states, and only those who satisfied the study criteria were included. Results: A total of 81 cases were reviewed (representing 8.4% of brain scans in NECC within the period of study). Males dominated with 64.2%, while those within the 20–29 years of age group constituted the highest number of patients who presented with seizures (30.9%). Imaging findings were normal in 26.7% of the patients. Conclusion: This shows the male preponderance of adult with seizures, with those in the third decade of life most affected. Headache and hemiparesis are the most common presenting complaints. In our environment, headache was the highest presenting symptom, followed closely by hemiparesis, while cerebral hypodensity was the most frequent finding.

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Background: Stroke is a major medical disorder caused by an abrupt interruption of blood supply to the brain resulting in loss of neurological function. B-mode ultrasonography is a readily available test that is employed to visualize the extracranial carotid arteries implicated as a major source of emboli to cerebral arteries. Aim and Objective: We aimed to evaluate the pattern of carotid artery disease using B-mode ultrasonography in adults with computed tomography scan-confirmed stroke in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Radiology Department of Jos University Teaching Hospital. The study population was made up of 120 consenting stroke patients where a structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. A GE Medical System Logiq 5 Expert with 10 MHz linear probe was used to examine the extracranial carotid arteries from their origin to the angle of the mandible. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were recruited comprising 63 males (52.5%) and 57 females (47.5%). Three-fifth of the patients 72 (60.0%) had intima–media thickness of >0.9 mm seen in the right common and internal carotid arteries in 56 (46.7%) and 65 (54.2) patients, respectively, and left common and internal carotid arteries in 69 (57.5%) and 66 (55.0%) patients, respectively. Plaques were seen in 58 (48.0%) patients. Eleven (19%) had smooth-surfaced plaques while 33 (57.0%) had irregular/ulcerated surfaced plaques which were unilateral in 21 (36.0%) and bilateral in 12 (21.0%) patients. Mixed (smooth and irregular/ulcerated) and bilateral were seen in 14 (24.0%) patients. Conclusion: Carotid artery diseases are a significant finding in stroke patients. These findings showed the importance of B-mode ultrasonographic examination of the extracranial carotid arteries as key in predicting patients at risk of stroke development.

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Background: Hemorrhagic stroke outcome has been poorly studied in this region despite being a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The use of computed tomography to assess the volumes of lesion, the sites of the brain affected, and their relationship with patients' clinical outcome will add to the body of knowledge in the management of hemorrhagic stroke. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to determine if the volume of hemorrhagic stroke lesion correlates with patient clinical outcome at 30 days poststroke. Materials and Methods: Acute hemorrhagic stroke patients were recruited consecutively over 18 months. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume and the sites affected were correlated with the patients' modified Rankin Scale (mRS) assessment outcome at 30 days poststroke. The mRS scores of (0–3) were regarded as favorable and (4–6) as unfavorable. Student's t-test, logistic, and linear regression analyses were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20.0, level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Forty-four patients were included in the study. Overall, mean (standard deviation) ICH lesion volume of 30.8 (33.2) ml was observed. Mean volumes of 32.2 (35.7) ml and 29.2 (30.9) ml were seen in patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes, respectively. Linear and logistic regression analyses of the volume of the lesion on mRS outcome and patient outcome (alive vs. dead) were not statistically significant with P values of 0.982 and 0.868, respectively. Conclusion: Hemorrhagic stroke lesion volume though important in the assessment of patients does not significantly correlate with patient outcome at 1-month poststroke.

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