Browsing by Author "Brakohiapa, E.K."

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12

Career in radiology; the ghanaian clinical medical Student's perception
(Heliyon, 2022) Dzefi-Tettey, K.; Edzie, E.K.M.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Gorleku, P.N.; Amankwa, A.T.; Abdulai, A.B.; Yabasin, I.B.; Kekessie, K.K.; Idun, E.A.; Ntiamoah-Koufie, C.E.; Acheampong, F.; Oppong, B.; Quarshie, F.; Kusodzi, H.; Asemah, A.R.
Background: The importance of radiology in this era of evidence-based medicine cannot be disputed. This has resulted in the increase in demand for radiologists. Thus, the issue of whether there would be sufficient numbers of medical students to meet this growing demand needs further probing. Purpose: To assess Ghanaian clinical medical students’ perceptions about a career in radiology. Materials and methods: This was an online questionnaire-based survey of 575 clinical medical students in five public medical schools in Ghana from September 2020 to February 2021. Student's t-test and one way analysis of variance was used to compare means. For the Likert scale questions, differences in the mean Likert scale responses were assessed among various clinical year groups and across gender using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U tests. A logistic regression was used to determine the significant predictors of the choice of radiology as a career. Results: Most 340 (59.1%) of the participants were males. The average age of participants was 24.64 3.084 years. Students agreed that, radiology is relevant in this era of evidence-based medicine (mean Likert score ¼ 4.62, SD ¼ 0.819), which yielded significant responses in the third clinical year (p ¼ 0.004). Nearly 30% of respondents stated they did not receive enough didactic lectures or tutorials in radiology, citing insufficient lectures (89.9%), a lack of lecturers (9.5%), and trouble grasping ideas (0.7%) as their main concerns. 133 (23.1%) stated they would choose radiology as a specialty, with flexible working schedule (61.9%) and high income (68.3%) as their topmost reasons. Less patient contact (8.0%) was the least observed reason. A flexible working schedule increased the choice of radiology as a specialty by 2.319 folds (95% CI: 1.413–3.805, P ¼ 0.001). Teleradiology significantly contributed to the choice of radiology as a career (p ¼ 0.001). Conclusion: Generally, the clinical students had varied but positive perceptions on radiology as a specialty
Evaluation Of The Anatomical Locations And Sizes Of Uterine Fibroids From Ultrasound Examination In Ghana
(African Health Sciences, 2023) Edzie, E.K.M.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Dzefi-Tettey, K.; et al.
Background: Uterine fibroids locations and sizes have significant influences on the quality of life of women, especially pregnant women, and on the 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 a 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-year-old 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.
MRI age verification of U-17 footballers: The Ghana study
(Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, 2018-03) Sarkodie, B.D.; Botwe, B.O.; Pambo, P.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Mayeden, R.N.
Background A fair playground is absolutely necessary in any age limited sports. Age determination in countries where birth registration is not compulsory can often be difficult making it a challenge to determine ages of people born in such countries. Objective To determine correlation between chronological ages of under 17 Ghanaian footballers and the FIFA MRI grading. Method The degree of radial epiphyseal fusion was evaluated in 286 male Ghanaian footballers aged 13–16 years over a 4 year period (June 2012–November 2016) using 1.5 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The ages of the participants used in the study were those provided by the football players and confirmed with their national passports. Results Over 48% of these Ghanaian players below the age of 17 years had completely fused radial epiphysis. No significant correlation between the given chronological ages and the degree of fusion was found. The Spearmans correlation was given as (r = 0.069; p = 0.540). Conclusion There was no correlation between chronological age and degree of radial fusion among Ghanaian players. Normative study among Ghanaian/black African players is long overdue to ensure the U-17 players from these countries are not unfairly disadvantaged.
Pattern Of Breast Diseases In Accra: Review Of Mammography Reports
(Ghana medical journal, 2013-09) Brakohiapa, E.K.; Armah, G.E.; Clegg-Lamptey, J.N.A.; Brakohiapa, W.O.
Objectives: To document the mammographic patterns in females seeking medical attention in Accra. Design: An analytic retrospective study was conducted using data extracted from mammography request forms and corresponding radiological reports of 180 females. Setting: The radiology departments of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the Trust Hospital and Medical Imaging Ghana, all located in Accra. Results: One hundred and eighty radiologic request forms for mammographic evaluations and their corresponding reports from the study period were reviewed. The mean age of the study population was 48.7 years (SD=10.0), and the median age group was the 41–50 group. There were more screening mammography evaluations (115 examinations) than diagnostic mammography evaluations (65 examinations). Most of the cases diagnosed as breast cancer were in the age group 41–50 years. Benign lesions were commoner than cancer (55 and 16 cases respectively). The commonest presenting complaint was of pain. Conclusion: The larger number of screening mammographic evaluations conducted for asymptomatic females during the study period, as compared to diagnostic mammographic evaluations for symptomatic females, suggests that educational programs on early breast cancer detection are having a positive impact on the target population. The observation that 22.8% of lesions had features suggestive of breast cancer in the study is significantly high to also warrant intensification of the existing awareness programs. As non-specific masses were the most common radiographically observed lesions, hospitals equipped with sonography and biopsy facilities that compliment their mammography are better suited for thorough breast disease evaluation.
Pattern of breast diseases in Accra: review of mammography reports.
(Ghana medical journal, 2013-09) Brakohiapa, E.K.; Armah, G.E.; Clegg-Lamptey, J.N.; Brakohiapa, W.O.
To document the mammographic patterns in females seeking medical attention in Accra. An analytic retrospective study was conducted using data extracted from mammography request forms and corresponding radiological reports of 180 females. The radiology departments of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital the Trust Hospital and Medical Imaging Ghana all located in Accra. One hundred and eighty radiologic request forms for mammographic evaluations and their corresponding reports from the study period were reviewed. The mean age of the study population was 48.7 years (SD=10.0), and the median age group was the 41-50 group. There were more screening mammography evaluations (115 examinations) than diagnostic mammography evaluations (65 examinations). Most of the cases diagnosed as breast cancer were in the age group 41-50 years. Benign lesions were commoner than cancer (55 and 16 cases respectively). The commonest presenting complaint was of pain. The larger number of screening mammographic evaluations conducted for asymptomatic females during the study period, as compared to diagnostic mammographic evaluations for symptomatic females, suggests that educational programs on early breast cancer detection are having a positive impact on the target population. The observation that 22.8% of lesions had features suggestive of breast cancer in the study is significantly high to also warrant intensification of the existing awareness programs. As non-specific masses were the most common radiographically observed lesions, hospitals equipped with sonography and biopsy facilities that compliment their mammography are better suited for thorough breast disease evaluation.
Pattern of chest computerized tomography scan findings in symptomatic RT-PCR positive Covid-19 patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
(African Health Sciences, 2022) Dzefi-Tettey, K.; Edzie, E.K.M.; Gorleku, P.N.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Acheampong, F.; Asemah, A.R.; Kusodzi, H.; Saaka, P.S.; Idun, E.A.; Amankwa, A.T.
Background: Chest Computerized Tomography (CT) features of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are nonspecific, variable and sensitive in detecting early lung disease. Hence its usefulness in triaging in resource-limited regions. Objectives: To assess the pattern of chest CT scan findings of symptomatic COVID-19 patients confirmed by a positive RTPCR in Ghana. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed chest CT images of 145 symptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients examined at the Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from 8th April to 30th November 2020. Chi-Squared test was used to determine associations among variables. Statistical significance was specified at p≤0.05. Results: Males represent 73(50.3%). The mean age was 54.15±18.09 years. The age range was 5 months-90 years. Consolidation 88(60.7%), ground glass opacities (GGO) 78(53.8%) and crazy paving 43(29.7%) were the most predominant features. These features were most frequent in the elderly (≥65years). Posterobasal, peripheral and multilobe disease were found bilaterally. The most common comorbidities were hypertension 72(49.7%) and diabetes mellitus 42(29.2%) which had significant association with lobar involvement above 50%. Conclusion: The most predominant Chest CT scan features of COVID-19 pneumonia were GGO, consolidation with air bronchograms, crazy paving, and bilateral multilobe lung disease in peripheral and posterior basal distribution.
Pattern of chest computerized tomography scan findings in symptomatic RT-PCR positive Covid-19 patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
(African Health Sciences, 2022) Dzefi-Tettey, K.; Edzie, E.K.M.; Gorleku, P.N.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Acheampong, F.; et al.
Abstract Background: Chest Computerized Tomography (CT) features of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are nonspecific, variable and sensitive in detecting early lung disease. Hence its usefulness in triaging in resource-limited regions. Objectives: To assess the pattern of chest CT scan findings of symptomatic COVID-19 patients confirmed by a positive RTPCR in Ghana. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed chest CT images of 145 symptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients examined at the Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from 8th April to 30th November 2020. Chi-Squared test was used to determine associations among variables. Statistical significance was specified at p≤0.05. Results: Males represent 73(50.3%). The mean age was 54.15±18.09 years. The age range was 5 months-90 years. Consolidation 88(60.7%), ground glass opacities (GGO) 78(53.8%) and crazy paving 43(29.7%) were the most predominant features. These features were most frequent in the elderly (≥65years). Posterobasal, peripheral and multilobe disease were found bilaterally. The most common comorbidities were hypertension 72(49.7%) and diabetes mellitus 42(29.2%) which had significant association with lobar involvement above 50%. Conclusion: The most predominant Chest CT scan features of COVID-19 pneumonia were GGO, consolidation with air bronchograms, crazy paving, and bilateral multilobe lung disease in peripheral and posterior basal distribution.
Perspectives of radiologists in Ghana about the emerging role of artificial intelligence in radiology
(Heliyon, 2023) Edzie, E.K.M.; Brakohiapa, E.K.
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 re spondents 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 re spondents 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.
Prostatic volume determination by transabdominal ultrasonography: Does accuracy vary significantly with urinary bladder volumes between 50 to 400 mL?
(Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 2018-12-20) Brakohiapa, E.K.; Botwe, B.O.; Sarkodie, B.D.
Introduction: In Ghana, trans-abdominal ultrasonography is the main sonographic method of prostatic volume evaluation. The examinations are done when the patient’s bladder is full. However, the delay and the discomforting experiences associated with a full bladder have been well documented. In an attempt to investigate other less discomforting options, this study was undertaken to determine if sonographic transabdominal prostatic evaluations performed at urinary bladder volumes of 50–99 mL differ significantly to evaluations done at volumes of 100–199, 200–299 and 300– 399 mL. Methods: A prostatic study of adult patients was undertaken in Accra, from 2014 to 2015. Using an ultrasound machine, 79 sets of prostatic measurements were recorded at a urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL (V1 as our reference volume), and at least one of three other urinary bladder volumes (V2 = 100–199 mL, V3 = 200–299 mL and V4 = 300–399 mL), in 66 males. Twelve of the participants had multiple sets of prostate volume measurements. SPSS was used to analyse the data. T-test, Bland-Altman plots and linear regression were used to compare and test for the existence of proportional biases in measurements. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in prostatic volumes recorded at V1 and V2 (P = 0.017). However, the prostatic volume differences recorded for V1/V3, and V1/V4 groups of data were all not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The limits of agreement for the set of measurements spread from approximately 29 to +18 mL for V1/V2, 48 to +36 mL for V1/V3 and 12 to +12 mL for V1/V4 variables. There was no proportional bias in the V1/V2 (P = 0.55) and V1/V4 (P = 0.463) measurements. Conclusion: Urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL produces prostatic volume measurements comparable to volumes measured in patients with a full (300–399 mL), or nearly full urinary bladder (200–299 mL). A urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL may therefore be adequate for scanning the prostate gland, and is likely to be tolerated much better by patients.
Prostatic volume determination by transabdominal ultrasonography: Does accuracy vary significantly with urinary bladder volumes between 50 to 400 mL?
(Prostatic volume determination by transabdominal ultrasonography: Does accuracy vary significantly with urinary bladder volumes between 50 to 400 mL?, 2019-02) Brakohiapa, E.K.; Botwe, B.O.; Sarkodie, B.D.
Introduction In Ghana, trans‐abdominal ultrasonography is the main sonographic method of prostatic volume evaluation. The examinations are done when the patient's bladder is full. However, the delay and the discomforting experiences associated with a full bladder have been well documented. In an attempt to investigate other less discomforting options, this study was undertaken to determine if sonographic transabdominal prostatic evaluations performed at urinary bladder volumes of 50–99 mL differ significantly to evaluations done at volumes of 100–199, 200–299 and 300–399 mL. Methods A prostatic study of adult patients was undertaken in Accra, from 2014 to 2015. Using an ultrasound machine, 79 sets of prostatic measurements were recorded at a urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL (V1 as our reference volume), and at least one of three other urinary bladder volumes (V2 = 100–199 mL, V3 = 200–299 mL and V4 = 300–399 mL), in 66 males. Twelve of the participants had multiple sets of prostate volume measurements. SPSS was used to analyse the data. T‐test, Bland‐Altman plots and linear regression were used to compare and test for the existence of proportional biases in measurements. Results There was a statistically significant difference in prostatic volumes recorded at V1 and V2 (P = 0.017). However, the prostatic volume differences recorded for V1/V3, and V1/V4 groups of data were all not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The limits of agreement for the set of measurements spread from approximately −29 to +18 mL for V1/V2, −48 to +36 mL for V1/V3 and −12 to +12 mL for V1/V4 variables. There was no proportional bias in the V1/V2 (P = 0.55) and V1/V4 (P = 0.463) measurements. Conclusion Urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL produces prostatic volume measurements comparable to volumes measured in patients with a full (300–399 mL), or nearly full urinary bladder (200–299 mL). A urinary bladder volume of 50–99 mL may therefore be adequate for scanning the prostate gland, and is likely to be tolerated much better by patients.
Sporadic Class II Congenital humeroradial synostosis and Left Micromelia in a three-and-a-half-months female Ghanaian infant✩
(Science Direct, 2024) Brakohiapa, E.K.; Segbefia, M.; Nimo, O.; et al.
ongenital humeroradial synostosis (CHRS) is a rare musculoskeletal condition that signif icantly affects the mobility of the elbow joint. They occur in various types and forms de pending on the types and numbers of bones involved at the elbow. CHRS may present with elbow deformity and limitation of function. Appropriate timely diagnosis and counseling are required since CHRS is mostly managed conservatively according to literature and may prevent avoidable fractures of the radius from attempts by parents to straighten the flexed fixed elbow and finally offer adequate time for delayed surgical intervention which is usu ally ineffective and unhelpful.
Unilateral congenital proximal radioulnar synostosis in a 4-year-old boy: A case report
(Radiology Case Reports, 2023) Edzie, E.K.M.; Dzefi-Tettey, K.; Brakohiapa, E.K.; Amankwa, N.A.; et al
Congenital radioulnar synostosis is a rare musculoskeletal disorder of the elbow, occurring as a result of variable degree and length of the congenital fusion of the proximal radioulnar joint. Patients presents early to the hospital depending on the severity of the synostosis and its effect on elbow function. It may have psychosocial effects on the affected individuals as they grow older especially when the deformity is dramatic. Treatment may be conservative, surgical (which may have a variable degree of success) and psychotherapy