BackgroundCongenital malformations contribute significantly to the disease burden among children globally. A study conducted in Kenya on understanding the burden of surgical congenital anomalies, highlights the need for Kenyan health systems to go beyond the medical dimensions of illness. This could be achieved by linking knowledge of the severe congenital anomalies (CAs) and their impact of varying disability to the delivery of local health services and public health program planning. Subsequently, early detection of these congenital anomalies is vital and can be achieved through fetal ultrasonography.Studies have proven that antenatal ultrasound can successfully diagnose fetal abnormalities in many cases and therefore aid in counseling of parents and planning for early intervention.Although there are studies on screening of congenital anomalies in various populations, very few have been done in the African population and none to the best of our knowledge has been done in Kenya.MethodsThe patients, who underwent routine obstetric ultrasounds, were recruited into the study. The study population comprised patients who were referred from the obstetric clinic, casualty and other clinics within the hospital vicinity. Data of antenatal ultrasounds was statistically analyzed on structured data collection form to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies.ResultsFifteen fetal anomalies were diagnosed in 500 women who came for routine ultrasound (3%). The mean age of the mothers was 28.2 years (SD ± 4.5) with an age range from 15 to 44 years. 400 (80%) of the mothers were aged between 27 and 34 years.The most frequently observed fetal anomalies involved the head (8/ 500; 1.6%). Each of the remaining anomalies affected less than 1% of the fetuses and included anomalies of the spine (2/ 500; 0.4%), pulmonary (2/ 500; 0.4%), renal and urinary tract (2/ 500; 0.4%) and skeletal systems (2/ 500; 0.4%). Majority, 9 of 15 (60%) of the fetuses with anomalies detected on prenatal ultrasound resulted in postnatal mortality within days of delivery.ConclusionCongenital anomalies prevalence in our setting compares with those found in other studies. From this study, major birth defects are a major cause of perinatal mortality.

Introduction. Conventional MR imaging provides highly detailed anatomic information with unrivalled soft tissue contrast making it the mainstay in the diagnosis of suspected brain lesions. Despite this, MRI alone at times cannot answer the diagnostic questions in quite a few patients. Proton MR Spectroscopy (H-MRS) provides information on the metabolic composition within an area under interrogation. By comparing the relative concentrations of specific metabolites, the neuroradiologist can deduce critical information regarding neuronal cell density and integrity, cell membrane turnover, metabolic fuel, and possible necrosis in the region of interest. This provides a biochemical picture of the underlying pathology and thus aids in the diagnosis. Methods. This was a cross-sectional comparative study. Results. Of the 63 patients examined by MRI and MRS for intracranial mass lesions, the radiologists were able to offer a single imaging diagnosis based on MRI alone in only 15 patients (23.8%) while when MRI imaging was combined with MR spectroscopy, a single imaging diagnosis was offered in 47 patients (74.6%). This was an overall statistically significant improvement. Conclusion. MRS aided the radiologist in offering a single diagnosis in high versus low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas versus tuberculomas, and recurrent tumours versus radiation necrosis.

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COVID-19 is a rapidly growing pandemic that has grown from a few cases in Wuhan, China to millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide within a few months. Sub-Saharan Africa is not spared. Radiology has a key role to play in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 as literature from Wuhan and Italy demonstrates. We therefore share some critical knowledge and practice areas for radiological suspicion and diagnosis. In addition, emphasis on how guarding against healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) by applying “red” and “green” principle is addressed. Given that pandemics such as COVID-19 can worsen the strain on the scantily available radiological resources in this region, we share some practical points that can be applied to manage these precious resources also needed for other essential services. We have noted that radiology does not feature in many main COVID-19 guidelines, regionally and internationally. This paper therefore suggests areas of collaboration for radiology with other clinical and management teams. We note from our local experience that radiology can play a role in COVID-19 surveillance.

This cross-sectional study was performed between March and August 2016 at Kenyatta National Hospital using a questionnaire.Results: Eighty participants were enrolled. None answered all the questions correctly, with only 55% of radiologists, 35% of residents and 39% of radiographers scoring above 50%. The majority (82%) of participants had adequate knowledge regarding the symptoms, signs and risk factors of adverse reactions to contrast media; however, only 30% knew that intravenous epinephrine is the recommended therapy for a severe anaphylactic reaction. Shortcomings in terms of adequate training were found in this study, with the majority of respondents having not attended any life support course in the preceding 5 years. Conclusion:Health providers within the radiology unit had knowledge about identifying both mild and severe symptoms of anaphylactic reactions. However, there were knowledge gaps regarding the management of these reactions.