Quantitative Assessment of Liver Fibrosis by Elastography in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lomé (Togo)

Aim: To describe the two-dimensional elastographic profile according to the Shearwave (2D-SWE) technique in patients with chronic liver disease in Lom. Materials and method: Cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted over seven month at the Autel dElie Clinic in Lom, from January to August 2022, on adult patients with chronic liver disease who underwent abdominal ultrasound coupled with two-dimensional elastography. Results: The sample size was 54 patients. The mean age of the patients was 33 12 years, with extremes of 18 and 66 years. Patients aged 30 years or less accounted for 48.1% (n = 26). All patients (n = 54) had at least one transaminase assay with a mean of 69.3 78.3 IU/l (AST) and 59.3 82.8 IU/l (ALT). There was no statistically significant association between the biological parameters and the presence of fibrosis. Viral liver disease was the main cause, accounting for 81.5% (n = 44) of cases, with no significant association with the degree of fibrosis. Ultrasound revealed a dysmorphic liver (57.4%;n = 31) and portal hypertension (18.5%, n = 10). Fibrosis stages F1, F2 and F4 accounted for (48.1%, n = 26), (24.1%, n = 13) and (13%, n = 7) of cases respectively. Liver dysmorphia was significantly associated with the presence of fibrosis (p = 0.012) and portal hypertension was significantly associated with the degree of fibrosis (p = 0.0063). Conclusion: Assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease using 2D-SWE elastography is essential for patient follow-up.

Mammography during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaigns in Lomé(Togo): In Relation to 1074 Cases over a Period of 5 Years

Background: This study aimed to describe the results of mammography done during breast cancer awareness campaigns in Lomé. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study which focused on the analysis of mammographic examinations, with or without breast ultrasound, carried out in three (3) clinics in Lomé over a period of five (5) years during the breast cancer awareness month (Pink October) campaigns. We included in our study women of all ages who underwent a mammography during the study period. Additional ultrasound was performed as needed in some women to better characterize a lesion. The parameters studied were socio-demographic data, and aspects of breast lesions. We classified the lesions in order of severity according to the BI-RADS classification. Results: During the study we counted one thousand and seventy-four (1074) women who underwent mammography examinations, corresponding to an average of 214.8 women per year. The median age of the women was 46 years. The most represented age group was 40 - 49, constituting 30% of cases. Mammography was performed on all women and ultrasound was performed on 51.3% of women. Lesions suspicious for malignancy (BI-RADS IV) and lesions highly suggestive of malignancy (BI-RADS V) represented 3.5% and 1.9% of cases respectively, amounting to a prevalence of 5.4%. They occurred more frequently from the age of 30 years with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). These lesions could be identified on mammograms as masses with irregular shapes and spiculated margins representing 16.1% and 9.7% of masses respectively. On ultrasound, these were solid masses with irregular and ill-defined borders, representing 25.2% and 5.2% of solid masses respectively. Lesions suspicious for malignancy were most often found in the UOQ (upper outer quadrant) in 70% of cases. Conclusion: Mammography screening for breast cancer remains a necessity in our community, even if the rate of cancer detected remains low. It allows for early diagnosis of cancers, promoting better management.

Women’s Awareness of Mammographic Screening for Breast Cancer in Togo

Breast cancer represents a real public health problem due to its increasing frequency, its seriousness and its psycho-social implications. The aims of this study were to determine the level of awareness of women on the performance of mammography in the diagnosis and screening for breast cancer. This was a cross-sectional study over a period of 4 months (from October 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017) in Togo. It consisted in completing a questionnaire distributed to women above 30 years of age. The mean age of the women was 42 years. 88.8% of them had heard of breast cancer. There was a link between age, occupation, level of education and awareness of breast cancer. Only 20.8% of women had heard of mammography, with a link between awareness of mammography and age, occupation, and level of education. A link was noted between awareness of breast cancer and awareness of mammography. Information on mammographic breast cancer screening is inadequate in Togo.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Tumor Response in Oncology in Togo

Cancer is common in our setting and represents a real public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. This work aimed to assess the role of computed tomography in the follow-up of patients treated for cancer in Togo. This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out over a period of one year, on patients with cancer, treated in the medical oncology unit of CHU Sylvanus Olympio and having undergone at least two CT scans after cancer treatment. Computed tomography evaluation was performed according to the RECIST 1.1 guidelines. We had found 46 patients. The mean age of the patients was 54.22 years with a female predominance (sex ratio 1:2.5). Cancers mainly involved the urogenital system (60.8%) followed by the digestive system (28.3%). Carcinoma represented 93.5% of cases, mainly adenocarcinoma (45.7%). 74 target lesions were present at baseline, with 18.9% and 11.6% disappearing at the first and second assessments respectively. 36 non-target lesions were present at baseline, with 25% and 22.2% disappearing at the first and second assessments respectively. New lesions were found in the abdominal region in 54.5% of cases and in the thoracic region in 41.3% at the first and second assessments respectively. 58.7% of patients had a stable disease at the first assessment and 39.1% had progression at the second assessment. 50% of them had received chemotherapy in combination with surgery. Computed tomography using the RECIST 1.1 guidelines is a necessity in monitoring tumor extensions and in the follow-up of cancer patients.

Place of Ocular Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Optic Disc Druses in Developing Countries: About a Case and Review of the Literature

Background: Druses of the papilla constitute abnormal deposits of calcified hyaline material at the level of the head of the optic nerve. They can be superficial or deep. Aim: The aim of this study is to show the utility of ocular ultrasound in ophthalmology in underdeveloped countries for the characterization of optic disc druse. Case Presentation: Our study relates to a clinical observation of buried papillary druses diagnosed by ocular ultrasound. The ophthalmologic examination revealed an aspect of false papillary edema in the fundus. The ocular ultrasound revealed hyperechogenic deposits buried in the papillary margins, which suggests the deep papillary druses. Conclusion: Ocular ultrasound still has a prominent place in the diagnosis of certain eye conditions despite the new sophisticated means available to ophthalmology to date.

Current State of Affairs with Regard to Continuing Medical Education for Technicians in Radiology in Francophone West Africa

Background: This study aimed to determine the level of continuing medical education (CME) of medical imaging technicians in French-speaking West Africa. Materials and methods: This opinion survey was administered to radiology technicians in French-speaking West Africa from 1st June to 31st October 2020, i.e. over a period of 5 months concerning their level of CME and their need for CME. Results: Out of 100 technicians, 69% were men. The mean age was 40 years, with extremes ranging from age 23 to age 57. The majority of technicians (64%) worked in the public sector and 78% had work experience of less than 11 years. Most technicians were holders of a Bachelor’s degree (73%). The types of CMEs they knew were congresses, seminars, and modular training in 46% of the cases. The most available CMEs were seminars (63%). All technicians agreed on the need for CME and 96% said it had an impact on the delivery of radiology services. Technicians who had received CME at least once represented 61%. For 90% of technicians, the specific CME sought was management in radiology (33.33%) and radiation protection (25.81%). Conclusion: The need for CME is increasingly indisputable to radiology technicians in French-speaking West Africa;however, it remains a luxury for them, due to its scarcity and its high cost.

Spondylodiscitis, an Exceptional Complication of Prostate Biopsy: Case Report

Background: Transrectal prostate biopsy is a major prostate cancer diagnosis procedure that can cause infectious complications. Osteoarticular localization is uncommon. Aim: To report a case of spondylodiscitis due to a transrectal prostate biopsy and highlight therapeutical principles. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male underwent transrectal prostate biopsy performed because of high PSA level, and presented 48 hours later with back pain, fever at 40°C associated with an obnubilation. He was treated for malaria without favorable evolution. Persistance of pain and occurrence of neurologic manifestations motivated dorso-lumbar Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which permitted diagnosis of spondylodiscitis. The treatment was made by triple antibiotic therapy combining Imipenem 500 mg/8h (IV);Ofloxacin 200 mg/12h (IV) and Metronidazole 500 mg/8h (IV) over four weeks. Evolution under treatment was favorable. Conclusion: Spondylodiscitis is an exceptional complication of transrectal prostate biopsy. It may be evocated in case of bones pain after prostate biopsy.

Hospital Information Systems Shortage in Sub-Saharan African Hospitals: Opportunities and Challenges

The HIS is recognised as an essential tool for optimising the management of a health establishment in particular and the health system in general. But it is still very little implemented in hospitals in the South. Open source HIS software, available on the Internet, can be a solution for starting a (HIS) project in these hospitals. A search on the Internet for open source HIS software allowed us to choose MedBoard, the second most popular open source software out of 381, to start an HIS project called PERFORMANCE at the Kara University Hospital in northern Togo. A questionnaire allowed us to assess the level of knowledge of health actors on hospital information systems. The results of this evaluation allowed us to strengthen our proposal. The analysis of the current computer park of the CHU Kara does not allow whatever the functionalities of MedBoard to implement PERFORMANCE at the CHU Kara. Logistics are needed to make PERFORMANCE work. The real difficulty to start and perpetuate HIS project is linked to the human factor.