Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Aid for a District Hospital in the Tropics

Doehring-Schwerdtfeger, Ekkehard; Abdel-Rahim, Ibrahim M.; Dittrich, Matthias; Mohamed-Ali, Qurashi; Franke, Doris; Kardorff, R.; Richter, Joachim; Ehrich, J. H. H.

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1992.46.727

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…11 In our study, this value was lower (67.8%), and is nearer to that of the U.S. study (66%), in which the criteria of judgement were as strict as our own. Despite this severity of judgement, the overall contribution of ultrasonography to diagnosis in two-thirds of the cases is substantial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

“…8 However, few studies have sought to determine the overall benefit that ultrasonography could provide as an aid to diagnosis and treatment. [9][10][11] Within the framework of a support program established by a Swiss hospital for a hospital in Cameroon, the possibility of providing an ultrasound scanner to complement the existing radiology unit was considered. In view of the introduction of a new technology of diagnosis in a hospital in a developing country, it was decided to conduct a prospective study to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosis and treatment.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultrasonography as an aid to diagnosis and treatment in a rural African hospital: a prospective study of 1,119 cases.

Steinmetz¹,

Berger²

1999

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of ultrasonography in a rural African hospital in Cameroon with scarce resources. A prospective questionnaire was administered and completed for each of the 1,119 consecutive cases included in the study. Among these 1,119 cases, the diagnosis made by clinicians and by echography could be verified by another means for 323 patients. Ultrasonography showed abnormal findings in 78% of the cases. In the group of 323 patients in which the diagnosis made by echography could be verified, it was correct in 95.4% of the cases, erroneous in 4.6% of the cases, judged useful for diagnosis in 67.8% of the cases, and not contributive in 27.6% of the cases. Ultrasonography was judged useful when treatment was decided upon in 62% of the cases. This study demonstrated the value of ultrasonography in the context of a developing country and the conditions by which its use could be delineated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasonography as an aid to diagnosis and treatment in a rural African hospital: a prospective study of 1,119 cases.

Steinmetz¹,

Berger²

1999

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…Our review of the literature identified only two reports of introducing general use ultrasonography into a clinical setting in the developing world, both of which were published over 15 years ago and described experiences at major African hospitals in urban areas [10, 11]. Here we present a feasibility study describing the introduction of a portable ultrasound unit into the health care system of the Lugufu refugee camp in the Kigoma District of Tanzania.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction of a portable ultrasound unit into the health services of the Lugufu refugee camp, Kigoma District, Tanzania

et al. 2008

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BackgroundDiagnostic imaging services are scarce in much of the developing world. Ultrasound is a low-cost, safe, and widely applicable imaging modality.AimsWe delivered a portable ultrasound machine to the Lugufu refugee camp in Tanzania and conducted a course on its use in order to assess the feasibility of introducing this technology into a very low-resource setting.MethodsWe conducted an intensive 4-day ultrasound training course for health care providers at Lugufu and established an exam logbook to track the frequency of use, distribution of ultrasound applications, and gender and age distribution of patients.ResultsBetween 4 October 2005 and 1 November 2007 547 separate ultrasound exams on 460 patients were recorded at Lugufu. Overall, 86% of patients studied were female. Pregnancy-related exams accounted for 24.1% of total usage. The 20- to 29-year-old age group accounted for over one third of total exams performed.ConclusionUltrasound is a feasible and sustainable imaging modality in a very low-resource setting such as the Lugufu refugee camp in Tanzania.

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“…[2] In light of this crisis, ultrasound (US) technology has the potential to emerge as a cornerstone of diagnostic imaging in developing countries. [2–10] Ultrasonography has been recommended for developing countries by the WHO and specifications for a Basic Radiological System, the WHO-BRS, have been produced. [11] Ultrasound technology is relatively inexpensive, carries no known associated risks, and provides for real-time images and data available to the practitioner.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much has been written about the implications of US and the visions of potential impact; however, few studies have sought to determine the spectrum of disease encountered and the potential benefit that US could provide as an aid to diagnosis and treatment. [2–68–10]…”

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confidence: 99%

Assessing the utility of ultrasound in Liberia

Kotlyar

Moore²

2008

J Emerg Trauma Shock

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Sub-Saharan Africa has sparse imaging capacity, and data on ultrasound (US) use is limited. We collected prospective data on consecutive patients undergoing US to assess disease spectrum and US utility in Liberia. A total of 102 patients were prospectively enrolled. Average age was 33 years (0-84), 80% were female. US indications were: 53% Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) (24% gynecologic, 17% second/third trimester, 12% first trimester), 14% hepatobiliary, 10% intraperitoneal/intrathoracic fluid, 8% cardiac, 5% focused assessment of sonography in trauma, and 4% renal. US changed management in 62% of cases. Greatest impact was in first trimester OB (86%), FAST (83%), ECHO (80%), and second/third trimester OB (77%). US changed management in 47% of right upper quadrant and 33% of gynecologic studies. Curvilinear probe addressed over 80% of need. The primary role for US in developing countries is in management of obstetrics, with a secondary role for traumatic and a-traumatic abdominal processes. Most needs can be met with the curvilinear probe. Training should begin with obstetrics and should be a primary focus for curriculum.

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Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Aid for a District Hospital in the Tropics

Cited by 15 publications

References 4 publications

Ultrasonography as an aid to diagnosis and treatment in a rural African hospital: a prospective study of 1,119 cases.

Ultrasonography as an aid to diagnosis and treatment in a rural African hospital: a prospective study of 1,119 cases.

Introduction of a portable ultrasound unit into the health services of the Lugufu refugee camp, Kigoma District, Tanzania

Assessing the utility of ultrasound in Liberia

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