MRI Contribution in the Diagnosis of Non-Traumatic Medular Compressions at the Mali Hospital of about 179 Cases

Slow spinal compressions are due to the development of an expansive process in the spinal canal. It is a very common pathology, the diagnosis of which is mainly clinical. However, magnetic resonance imaging occupies an essential place in the site diagnosis and etiological research in the management. Non-traumatic spinal cord compression is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, requiring early and appropriate management. MRI is the benchmark imaging examination for this pathology. No similar previous MRI study in Mali. We undertook this work with the aim to determine the place of MRI in the diagnosis of spinal cord compressions in Mali hospital. Method and Patients: This was a descriptive retrospective study, carried out at the hospital’s medical imaging department from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018 (02 years). It involved all patients, regardless of sex and age, sent for an MRI examination of the spine, and in whom spinal cord compression was diagnosed. We used a 0.35T low-field MRI machine with solid-state antennas. Results: We collected 179 cases of spinal cord compression MRI out of 585 spinal MRI performed, (frequency of 30.59%). The average age was 53.5 years with a male predominance (sex ratio 3.7). Motor disorders were the most common reason for examination (41%). We used the T1 T2 sagittal and T2 axial sequences. IV injection of gadolinium was performed in 48% of patients. The topographic lesions were: cervical (54.7%), thoracic (31.3%) and several segments (9.5%). The lesions concerned the compartments: extradural (79.3%), intradural (4.5%), and intramedullary (16.2%). The processes were degenerative (57.5%). tumorous (29.6%), infectious (12.3%) and vascular (0.6%). Conclusion: MRI is the benchmark imaging test for the management of non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Myelo-CT can be an alternative in the absence or in case of MRI contraindication.

Epidemiological and Therapeutic Aspects of Proctological Pathologies in Pregnant and Postpartum Women at the Reference Health Center of Commune IV of Bamako District

Introduction: Painful proctological conditions that are far less pleasant can mar pregnancy and childbirth. In Mali, few studies have been carried out on proctological pathologies in pregnant women and in the postpartum period. Objective: To determine the frequency and identify the risk factors of anal pathologies during pregnancy and in the postpartum period in the obstetric gynecology department of the Centre de Santé de Référence de la comme IV du District de Bamako. Mali. Methods and Materials: Our observational study, a cross-sectional cohort survey over a period of nine (09) months from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020, was conducted in the obstetrics and gynecology department of the Health Center of Reference of Type IV of the District of Bamako. Results: The frequency of anal pathologies during pregnancy and in the post partum period was 24% (36/150). The different anal pathologies found were anal fissures, hemorrhoidal disease, anal incontinence and multiple anal pathologies with respectively 10%;6.67%;5.33%;2%. Chronic constipation (p = 0.003), a newborn weight > 3500 g (p = 0.000) to the occurrence of hemorrhoidal disease. For anal fissures, risk factors were noted such as (weight of the newborn > 3500 g (p = 0.002) and duration of fetal expulsion > 20 minutes (p = 0.000). Finally, a newborn weight > 3500 g (p = 0.000) and a maternal age of up to 30 years (p = 0.001) were associated with the occurrence of anal incontinence. Conclusion: Our study shows that anal pathologies affecting women's intimacy are frequent during pregnancy and in the postpartum period and are part of the many taboos difficult to address in our society.

Screening in the Birth Room of Parturients with Unknown Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Serological Status at the Reference Health Center of Commune IV of the District of Bamako

Introduction: In order to prevent the vertical transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), it is essential that pregnant women must know their HIV serological status. Objective: To determine the proportion of parturients with unknown Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status in the delivery room and to identify the associated factors. Methods: We conducted a prospective descriptive study carried out at the Reference Health Center of Commune IV in the district of Bamako from July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2018. The sample size was 267 parturients. The word processing was carried out on World software from the 2016 office suite at the end of the data entry and analysis was carried out on the IBM software, SPSS version 22.0. Results: A total of 267 women were eligible for our study, among which 14 parturients were seropositive, i.e., a proportion of 5.2% of cases. The knowledge of parturients on HIV was 95.5% of cases, but more than half did not know the mode of mother-child transmission. Unschooled parturients were the most represented with 41.2%. Conclusion: In view of the large proportion (5.2%) of HIV-positive parturients in our study, voluntary screening activities in the delivery room remain necessary for the future of children born to HIV-positive mothers.