Browsing by Author "Sosu, E.K."
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Item Africa’s readiness for artificial intelligence in clinical radiotherapy delivery: Medical physicists to lead the way(Physica Medica, 2023) Manson, E.N.; Hasford, F.; Sosu, E.K.; et al.Background: There have been several proposals by researchers for the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology due to its promising role in radiotherapy practice. However, prior to the introduction of the tech nology, there are certain general recommendations that must be achieved. Also, the current challenges of AI must be addressed. In this review, we assess how Africa is prepared for the integration of AI technology into radio therapy service delivery. Methods: To assess the readiness of Africa for integration of AI in radiotherapy services delivery, a narrative review of the available literature from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus was conducted in the English language using search terms such as Artificial Intelligence, Radiotherapy in Africa, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Quality Assurance. Results: We identified a number of issues that could limit the successful integration of AI technology into radiotherapy practice. The major issues include insufficient data for training and validation of AI models, lack of educational curriculum for AI radiotherapy-related courses, no/limited AI teaching professionals, funding, and lack of AI technology and resources. Solutions identified to facilitate smooth implementation of the technology into radiotherapy practices within the region include: creating an accessible national data bank, integrating AI radiotherapy training programs into Africa’s educational curriculum, investing in AI technology and resources such as electronic health records and cloud storage, and creation of legal laws and policies to support the use of the technology. These identified solutions need to be implemented on the background of creating awareness among health workers within the radiotherapy space. Conclusion: The challenges identified in this review are common among all the geographical regions in the Af rican continent. Therefore, all institutions offering radiotherapy education and training programs, management of the medical centers for radiotherapy and oncology, national and regional professional bodies for medical physics, ministries of health, governments, and relevant stakeholders must take keen interest and work together to achieve this goal.Item Africa’s readiness for artificial intelligence in clinical radiotherapy delivery: Medical physicists to lead the way(Physica Medica, 2023) Manson, E.N.; Hasford, F.; Sosu, E.K.; et al.Background: There have been several proposals by researchers for the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology due to its promising role in radiotherapy practice. However, prior to the introduction of the tech nology, there are certain general recommendations that must be achieved. Also, the current challenges of AI must be addressed. In this review, we assess how Africa is prepared for the integration of AI technology into radio therapy service delivery. Methods: To assess the readiness of Africa for integration of AI in radiotherapy services delivery, a narrative review of the available literature from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus was conducted in the English language using search terms such as Artificial Intelligence, Radiotherapy in Africa, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Quality Assurance. Results: We identified a number of issues that could limit the successful integration of AI technology into radiotherapy practice. The major issues include insufficient data for training and validation of AI models, lack of educational curriculum for AI radiotherapy-related courses, no/limited AI teaching professionals, funding, and lack of AI technology and resources. Solutions identified to facilitate smooth implementation of the technology into radiotherapy practices within the region include: creating an accessible national data bank, integrating AI radiotherapy training programs into Africa’s educational curriculum, investing in AI technology and resources such as electronic health records and cloud storage, and creation of legal laws and policies to support the use of the technology. These identified solutions need to be implemented on the background of creating awareness among health workers within the radiotherapy space. Conclusion: The challenges identified in this review are common among all the geographical regions in the Af rican continent. Therefore, all institutions offering radiotherapy education and training programs, management of the medical centers for radiotherapy and oncology, national and regional professional bodies for medical physics, ministries of health, governments, and relevant stakeholders must take keen interest and work together to achieve this goal.Item Estimation of Absorbed and Effective Doses in Organs through Computed Tomography Examinations Using Automatic Exposure Control and Fixed Tube Current Techniques: A Phantom Case Study(Iranian Journal of Medical Physics, 2020-01) Sulemana, H.; Inkoom, S.; Sosu, E.K.; Schandorf, C.Introduction: The study aimed to assess absorbed and effective doses in organs through computed tomography (CT) examinations using automatic exposure control (AEC) and fixed tube current (FTC) techniques. Material and Methods: Scanning parameters were obtained for routine adult CT examinations and used to estimate the organ absorbed and effective doses using CT-Expo software. The estimated effective doses were based on International Commission on Radiological Protection publication 103 recommendations. Results: Regarding the scans performed with AEC, doses to head, chest, abdomen and pelvic organs were within the range of 19.7-41.8, 6.4-17.4, 19.2-20.9, and 10.5-24.9 mGy respectively. Moreover, the effective doses for the mentioned organs were 1.6, 6.1, 6.4 and 5.4 mSv respectively. Considering FTC technique, doses to organs ranged 16.7-75.5, 4.1-52.2, 10.6-33.2 and 5.2-38.7 mGy respectively. Moreover, the mean effective doses of FTC were 2.1, 6.9, 9.4 and 6.1 mSv, respectively. Examinations performed with AEC technique induced a dose reduction of 9% and 34% for head organs, 52, 62 and 25% for chest organs, 16% and 14% for abdomen organs, and 11% and 10% for pelvic organs, compared to the FTC. A dose increase of 3% was observed for testes. The mean effective doses for scans with AEC were 13-46% lower than those obtained by FTC. Conclusion: According to the obtained results of the current study, the estimated doses for scans with AEC technique were in a lower level compared to FTC technique. Accordingly, it is recommended to utilize this technique for CT examinations to ensure optimal dose reduction to radiosensitive organsItem Estimation of Entrance Surface Dose and Image Quality Assessment of Adult Patients Undergoing Computed Radiography Examinations(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Ackom, D.; Schandorf, C.; Inkoom, S.; Sosu, E.K.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Medical PhysicsThe entrance surface dose (ESD) of radiographic examinations of adult patients undergoing computed radiography (CR) examinations have been estimated and image quality using ImageJ software version 1.48. In all 619 adult patients were involved in the study comprising 243 males and 376 females. The mean ESDs calculated were in the range of 0.29±0.0041 mGy to 6.08±0.55 mGy for chest PA, lumbar spine AP/LAT, cervical spine AP/LAT, skull AP/LAT and abdomen AP. All the results were lower compared with published results and diagnostic reference levels set by the IAEA and UK show except chest PA examination which the value estimated at UGH was by a factor of 2.56, 2.20 and 1.65 higher than the mean ESDs values by Inkoom et al, the IAEA and Public Health of UK respectively. An increment by factor of 3.07, 2.87 and 2.15 were found in the estimated mean ESDs for chest PA examination at KBTH for the published results respectively. Image quality of the radiographic images was assessed in terms of CNR and SNR. The CNR for all examinations were between 3.54±3.27 and 20.63±8.65 for all examinations. A maximum difference 17.09 in CNR was found between KBTH and UGH. The results obtained for SNR for both hospitals showed that 92.86% of all the images assessed were at least 1.22 higher than the Rose Model of the threshold value of ≥5. The study therefore has shown that the estimated mean ESD of the hospitals were within the recommended references values and the images were of good quality. Hence, there is the potential to reduce the dose to patients while keeping images of diagnostic quality.Item Intrinsic and tomographic evaluation of siemens e.cam® SPECT system at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital (Ghana)(Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2011-01) Sosu, E.K.; Hasford, F.; Nani, E.K.; Amuasi, J.H.; Otoo, F.Intrinsic and tomographic evaluation tests on the Siemens e.cam® Signature Series Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) system were conducted to ensure that it meets the specification required by the user and the capabilities claimed by the manufacturer after installation. The tests were performed according to National Electrical Manufacturers Association protocols and various measuring instrument and point sources containing 99 m-Tc were used. Intrinsic tests performed include intrinsic flood uniformity, intrinsic count rate performance in air and intrinsic energy resolution. Whole body scanning, SPECT resolution without scatter, SPECT resolution with inserts, SPECT uniformity and center of rotation were also evaluated. The intrinsic count rate performance measured was 300kcps as against manufactures' specification of 310 kcps, intrinsic energy resolution was 9.31% whiles manufacturers' specification was # 9.9% and center of rotation specification is that Max. X-Min. X< 1 pixel and RMS < 0.5 whiles values measured was 0.254 and 0.10 for LEAP and 0.092 and 0.083 for LEHR collimators. The evaluation confirm that the SPECT system met the requirements for clinical medical imagine and also the values obtained could be used as baseline data for future quality control. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011.Item Knowledge and perception on the transmission and control of SARS‑COV‑2 infection among allied radiation medicine professionals in Ghana(Springer, 2021) Hasford, F.; Sosu, E.K.; Awua, A.K.; Rockson, P.; Hammond, E.N.B.Knowledge and perception on transmission and control of SARS-COV-2 infection are key to preventing outbreak of the disease in healthcare settings and in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the level of knowledge on SARS-COV-2 infection prevention, transmission and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as perceptions regarding prevention of SARS-COV-2 infection among allied radiation medicine professionals. Cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among 145 radiation medicine professionals in Ghana using facts on COVID-19 as presented on the website of the World Health Organization and data was analyzed based on weighted average indices. Overall, the extent of knowledge among allied radiation medicine professionals on the symptoms of COVID-19, transmission and control of SARS-COV-2 infection in radiation medicine facilities were all adequate, with weighted average indices of 3.8, 4.1 and 4.4 respectively. However, overall perception of the respondents regarding the use of radiation medicine procedures in management of COVID-19 was diverse, with weighted index of 3.5. The facts about COVID-19 that were identified to be most known were shortness of breath being a serious symptom of the disease and fever being a common symptom. The extent of knowledge on the fact that “SARS-COV-2 infection can be transmitted through small droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person” was almost excellent, with weighted average index of 4.9. Also, the thinking that provision of hand washing and sanitizing facilities is a measure for controlling the infection was almost perfectly shared among the respondents. Computed tomography was perceived by majority of the respondents as the most preferred imaging modality for screening patients for COVID-19. The study shows that some aspects of the awareness of radiation medicine professionals on COVID-19 pandemic are adequate and others need critical improvement to help reduce spread of the disease.Item National inventory of authorized diagnostic imaging equipment in Ghana: data as of September 2020(PAMJ, 2022) Bour, B.K.; Sosu, E.K.; Hasford, F.; Gyekye, P.K.; Achel, D.G.; Faanu, A.; Amoako, J.K.; Pitcher, R.D.Introduction: to address the challenge of inadequate and non-equitable distribution of diagnostic imaging equipment, countries are encouraged to evaluate the distribution of installed systems and undertake adequate monitoring to ensure equitability. Ghana´s medical imaging resources have been analyzed in this study and evaluated against the status in other countries. Methods: data on registered medical imaging equipment were retrieved from the database of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and analyzed. The equipment/population ratio was mapped out graphically for the 16 regions of Ghana. Comparison of the equipment/population ratio was made with the situation in other countries. Results: six hundred and seventy four diagnostic imaging equipment units from 266 medical imaging facilities (2.5 units/facility), comprising computed tomography (CT), general X-ray, dental X-ray, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera, fluoroscopy, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were surveyed nationally. None of the imaging systems measured above the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average imaging units per million population (u/mp). The overall equipment/population ratio estimated nationally was 21.4 u/mp. Majority of the imaging systems were general X-ray, installed in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The regional estimates of equipment/population ratios were Greater Accra (49.6 u/mp), Ashanti (22.4 u/mp), Western (21.4 u/mp), Eastern (20.6 u/mp), Bono East (20.0 u/mp), Bono (19.2 u/mp), Volta (17.9 u/mp), Upper West (16.7 u/mp), Oti (12.5 u/mp), Central (11.9 u/mp), Northern (8.9 u/mp), Ahafo (8.9 u/mp), Upper East (6.9 u/mp), Western North (6.7 u/mp), Savannah (5.5 u/mp) and North-East (1.7 u/mp). Conclusion: medical imaging equipment shortfall exist across all imaging modalities in Ghana. A wide inter-regional disparity in the distribution of medical imaging equipment exists contrary to WHO´s recommendation for equitable distribution. A concerted national plan will be needed to address the disparity.