Appraisal of Imaging Requests and Findings from MRI Scans of Patients at State Specialists Hospital Bauchi

Abstract

Background: MRI plays a vital role in diagnosis of diseases. Objectives:To determine the pattern of imaging requests and findings from MRI scans of patients in the bauchi State Hospital. Methods:A prospective cross-sectional study of MRI request forms and findings of 138 patients was conducted from August 2016 to January 2017. MRI scans were performed using a 0.35T Neusoft MRI scanner and reported by a group of consultant radiologists. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics with the computer software SPSS version 22 (IbM, New York, USA). Results:This study revealed that majority of the MRI requests were for lumbosacral spine examinations (n=84, 60.9%), followed closely by MRI of the brain (n=42, 30.4%) and thirdly shoulder and abdomen examinations with a frequency of 4.3% each. Out of 138 MRI scans studied, intervertebral disc prolapse (n=60, 43.5%) was the commonest finding from MRI scans of patients, the second most prevalent finding was L4-L5 degenerative disc disease (n=12, 8.7%). Intramuscular lipoma and basal ganglia edema had a prevalence of 4.3%. Conclusion:The commonest requests were MRI lumbosacral and, in terms of findings, we found intervertebral disc prolapse, L4-L5 degenerative disc disease, basal ganglia edema and intramuscular lipoma as the major findings from MRI scans in bauchi.

Magnetic resonance imaging of ankle disorders in adult Nigerians in Lagos

“…Recent audits of MRI requisitions reveal an abysmally low number of requests for ankle MRI,[ 14 ] despite the improved availability of MRI scanners across Nigeria. [ 15 ]…”