Relationship between sonographic umbilical cord size and gestational age among pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Common fetal parameters for gestational age (GA) estimation have pitfalls especially in advanced pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by fetal structural anomaly.Objective: To assess the relationship between umbilical cord size and gestational age of the fetus.Subjects and Methods: A sonographic cross sectional study involving 300 pregnant women with GA between 14 weeks to 40 weeks was done in Enugu, Nigeria. Gestational ages were first estimated by use of Naegele’s formula for GA estimation based on the date of onset of each subject’s last menstrual period. Fetal parameters such as biparietal diameter, femur length, head circumference and abdominal circumference were measured and also used to estimate GA. Umbilical cord diameters were measured and used to compute the umbilical cord cross-sectional area.Results: The mean umbilical cord diameter and cross-sectional area were 14.5mm + 7.2mm and 201.6mm + 139.5mm2 respectively. Umbilical cord growth rate of 1.0mm/week was noted between the 14th and 35th week of pregnancy. There were significant correlations (p < 0.001) between umbilical cord size and other fetal parameters for GA estimation.Conclusion: Umbilical cord size had strong linear relationship with common fetal GA estimation parameters and could be used to compliment these parameters for GA estimation.Key words: Sonography, umbilical cord size, gestational age, Nigeria

Computed Tomography Study Of Complicated Bacterial Meningitis

To monitor the structural intracranial complications of bacterial meningitis using computed tomography (CT) scan. Retrospective study of medical and radiological records of patients who underwent CT scan over a 4 year period. AUniversityTeachingHospital in a developing country. Thirty three patients with clinically and laboratory-proven cases of bacterial meningitis who had clinical features of central nervous systemcomplication of the disease. Only patients with available complete records were studied with material obtained from themedical records and radiology departments of the hospital. Persistent headache (30.3%), persistent fever (18.18%), seizures (15.5%) and torticollis (12.12%) were the most common presenting features that necessitated the request for CT scan. Communicating hydrocephalus (36.36%), cerebral abscess (12.12%), multiple areas of cerebral infarction (12.12%) and subdural empyema (9.09%)were themost common CTscan findings. The complicationsweremore common in children aged less than 15 years. Computed Tomography is an accurate and useful means of diagnosing intracranial complications of bacterialmeningitis. Early and effective diagnosis of treatable lesions such as hydrocephalus, cerebral abscess and subdural empyema will help improve prognosis of the patients. There appears to be no alternative to prevention, adequate and early treatment of this condition to reduce its long-term neurological sequelae. Keywords: Computed tomography, Bacterial, Meningitis, Complications, Brain. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (4) 2008: pp. 351-35

Common Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Infertility Cases in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Background: Reproductive medicine has recently witnessed advances and hysterosalpingography has become a relatively quick and non-invasive procedure to evaluate the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.Purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate the common hysterosalpingographic findings in infertility cases in Lagos, South West, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: The HSG reports of 100 patients who were referred to the department of radiodiagnosis of Lagos University Teaching Hospital between September 2010 and August 2011 were reviewed. The biodata of each patient was collated from the request forms. Fifty-seven patients (57%) were investigated for secondary infertility, while 43 patients (43%) were investigated for primary infertility.Results: The commonest pathology found in patients presenting with infertility in this study were uterine fibroid (26%), followed by uterine adhesion (12%). There was evidence of peritubal adhesion, either bilateral or unilateral, in 10% of the patients, while tubal occlusion, either bilateral or unilateral, was reported in 7% of the cases. Hydrosalpinx occurred in only 6% of the patients. Twenty-eight patients (28%) had normal uterus and fallopian tubes.Conclusion: Hysterosalpingography remains relevant in the investigation of mechanical causes of infertility in women

Armillifer armillatus infection

We report a case of human pentastomiasis in a 70-year-old retired long-distance driver/farmer whose diagnosis was made incidentally while being investigated for a 1-month history of cough and abdominal pain. The chest X-ray revealed multiple comma-shaped and rounded opacities in keeping with Armilliferinfection, most likely Armillifer armillatus. The patient made an uneventful recovery after a 10-day course of mebendazole (an antihelminthic) tablet and ciprofloxacin (antibiotic) capsules and was discharged home. He is presently being followed up. This is the first case we have seen in our medical unit thus we are reporting it

Sonographic assessment of pregnancy co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy could cause obstetric complications.Objectives: To assess sonographically the frequency of occurrence and effect of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted during a period of 23 months. A convenience sample of 816 consecutive consenting pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria was evaluated during routine prenatal ultrasound scan. The women were referred for prenatal sonography. One hundred of the subjects who had myoma co-existing with pregnancy and another 100 subjects without myoma were selected for follow-up. These groups were followed up till delivery and obstetric complications and outcomes were documented. Any changes in size and growth rate of myoma were documented.Results: Subjects with myoma co-existing with pregnancy were 12.3%. This was commoner with increasing maternal age. An increase was observed in myoma mean size from 60mm to 63mm from the 1st scan sequence to the 2nd scan sequence and a reduction from 63mm to 59mm in the 3rd scan sequence. Myoma growth rate was 0.667mm per week. Myomas inpregnancy especially large ones caused more complications during delivery when compared to pregnancies without myomas.Conclusion: Routine sonography is important in pregnancy management of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy.Keywords: Routine sonography; uterine myoma, pregnancy, obstetric complications

Validity of common ultrasound methods of fetal weight estimation in late pregnancy among women in Kwale, Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

Background: Accuracy of some ultrasound equations used in our locality for fetal weight estimation is doubtful.Objective: To assess the accuracy of common ultrasound equations used for fetal weight estimation.Subjects and Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted on selected Nigerian obstetric population at Central Hospital, Kwale between March, 2009 and January, 2011. Sonography was performed on 412 women with advanced singleton cyesis and measurements of BPD, HC, AC, and FL were obtained and figured into 12 common ultrasound equations for the estimation of fetal weight. The actual birth weight at delivery was recorded.Results: The highest intraclass correlation coefficient was generated by the Hadlock 5 and Hsieh 2 equations. The least mean absolute percent error was obtained with Hsieh 2 equation, followed by Woo 3, and Hadlock 5. These equations also had the least percentage error and the least range of limits of agreement in the same order with no significant difference between their mean fetal weight estimates and that of the actual birth weight (p > 0.05). All twelve equations had strong positive correlation with the actual birth weight with Nzeh 2 equation the least.Conclusion: Hsieh 2 equation has the best accuracy in fetal weight estimation studied.Key Words: Validation; Fetal Weight; Sonography; Advanced Cyesis; Nigerian Populatio

Sonographic evaluation of the spleen among sickle cell disease patients in a teaching hospital in Nigeria

Background: Regional variations in size and parenchyma echo-texture of the spleen among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have been documented in various publications. The objectives of this study were to assess the size and parenchyma echo-texture of the spleen of SCD patients and ascertain the relationship of age, height and weight with the spleen sizes.Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 103 each of SCD and age matched control subjects. Aloka ST- 550 -3500 ultrasound machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers was used to scan the subjects over a 15 months period (September, 2012 to November, 2013). The age, height and weight of each subject were recorded.Results: The spleen sizes of SCD patients were generally larger than those of the controls (p < 0.05). Abnormal spleen parenchyma of varied appearances was found among the SCD subjects. There were negative correlations between mean spleen sizes and height, weight and age in SCD patients but positive correlations were found between them in the controls.Conclusion: Routine sonographic assessment of spleen size and echo-texture is useful in the management of SCD patients.Key words: sickle cell disease, sonography, spleen morphology, patient management, Nigerian population

Seismo-Structural Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation of Ugwu-Field, Coastal Swamp Depositional Belt of the Niger Delta Basin

Structural interpretation of 3-D seismic data and well log have been applied to unravel hydrocarbon entrapment pattern and petrophysical parameters of X-field within the coastal swamp region of the Niger Delta.. Four reservoir intervals (A, B, C and D) delineated as (W-026, 032, 042 and 048) using gamma ray and resistivity log response. Structural interpretation for inline 5158 revealed four horizons (A, B, C and D) and eight (8) faults labelled (F1, F2, F12, F13, F21, F22, F23, and F24) were mapped. It was observed that the hanging wall block due to reverse drag or rollover anticline slided over fault F12 and created fault F2, thereby creating subsidence where sediments can be deposited. Therefore, faults F2 and F12 created rollover structures which cuts across the entire four reservoirs and invaluably responsible for trapping of hydrocarbon in the field. RMS map developed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 revealed high amplitude anomalies, while variance attribute for both horizons showed relatively uniform lithology observed from east to west across the study area. While from north-east to south west, variance was observed to increase relatively which indicates different lithology. These trend exposes dipping of the channel fill at both flanks by creating extensive faulting. Results of petrophysical evaluation for reservoirs \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 across the four wells were analyzed. For reservoir \u2018A\u2019, porosity values of 32.8%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 27.1% were obtained for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 respectively with an average of 27.65%, while for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 porosity values of 26.83%, 26.93%, 25.59% and 27.99% for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 were obtained respectively with an average of 26.84%. This porosity values were rated very good to excellent for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and very good for reservoir \u2018B\u2019, while Permeability values of the order (K > 1000mD) were obtained for both reservoirs across the four wells and is rated excellent. Hydrocarbon saturation (Shc) across the four wells averages at 68.57% for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and 68.67% for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 which is high. Log motifs using gamma ray log for well-026 was integrated with seismic facies to infer on depositional environment of the reservoirs horizons showed a combination of serrated funnel/blocky shape log response and coarsening upward cycles. For reservoirs \u2018A\u2019, \u2018B\u2019 and \u2018C\u2019 the log shape pattern indicates deposition in a fluvial / tidal, channel environment while for reservoir \u2018D\u2019 the pattern indicates deposition in deltaic front environment. Isochore maps computed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019, shows that horizon \u2018A\u2019 is relatively thick and this pattern suggests increased tectonic activities during deposition of reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and is an indication that reservoir \u2018A\u2019 is a synrift deposit

Performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in different local agricultural waste materials

The present study was conducted to evaluate different substrates for establishment of yield performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The substrates were prepared from single or mixture of different agricultural waste materials supplemented with lime and water as additive to each substrate. A total of eight substrates labeled 1 to 8 were prepared. Substrate 4, which is a mixture of palm kernel cake and maize cob, had the highest mycelia growth rate (80%), sprouted 15 days after inoculation and yielded the highest total fresh weight for a period of 10 harvests (2957.5 g). Substrate 3, a mixture of palm kernel cake and sawdust, had 78% mycelia growth rate, sprouted 16 days after inoculation and yielded 2535.7 g fresh mushroom. Substrate 2 is a mixture of maize straw and sawdust and had 75% mycelia growth rate, sprouted 17 days after inoculation and a total of 2207.4 g fresh weight. The mushroom grown in substrates 4, 3 and 2 produced bigger and firmer fruiting bodies, which differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the other substrates. Substrates 1 and 5 which had 50% mycelia growth rate, sprouted 31 and 33 days after inoculation and 1408.8 and 1092.6 g, respectively, were recorded after a period of 10 harvests. Substrate 4, 3 or 2 is therefore recommended for cultivation of oyster mushroom.Keywords: Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), mycelial growth, palm kernel cake (PKC), substrate, maturit

Ozone Layer Depletion: A Review

There are many situations where human activities have significant effects on the environment. Ozone layer damage is one of them. The objective of this paper is to review the origin, causes, mechanisms and bioeffects of ozone layer depletion as well as the protective measures of this vanishing layer. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the Ozone Layer is the anticipated increase in the amounts of ultraviolet radiation received at the surface of the earth and the effect of this on human health and on the environment. The prospects of Ozone recovery remain uncertain. In the absence of other changes, stratospheric Ozone abundances should rise in the future as the halogen loading falls in response to regulation. However, the future behaviour of Ozone will also be affected by the changing atmospheric abundances of methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, sulphate aerosol, and changing climate. KEY WORDS: Ozone Layer Depletion, Bioeffects, Protection. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 67-7