Computed Tomography Findings and Clinico-Epidemiological Aspects of COVID-19 Pneumonia at CHME Luxembourg in Bamako (Mali)

Objective: To describe the CT findings and clinico-epidemiological aspects of coronavirus pulmonary lesions at the Radiology Department of Mother-Child Luxembourg’s Hospital in Bamako, West Africa. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study over a period of three months (November 2020-January 2021). The study involved all patients with a clinical suspicion of COVID-19 or confirmed cases with suggestive CT scan lesions during this period. No patients without suggestive CT lesions were not included. The variables were age, sex, clinical data, lungs lesions on CT scan and their severity. Results: Out of 202 patients enlisted, the age group 52 - 63 years was more frequent (30.2%), i.e. an average age of 60.43 years (range 23 and 95 years). Men represented 56.4% or a sex ratio of 1.3. Cough was the most common clinical manifestations (26.7%). Major findings were mixed appearance of the lung lesions (45.5%). The peripheral distribution was 57.4% and the bilateral topography was 98%. These lesions were extensive in the majority of our patients with 28.2%. Conclusion: Older people dominated the socio-demographic profile of our series with a predominance of men. Cough was the most observed clinical information. Mixed lesions with peripheral and bilateral distribution dominated the semiological tomodensitometric aspects. By severity, extensive lung lesions were the most commonly observed.

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.

Uro-Scanner Aspects of Bladder Tumours at the Mali Hospital about 17 Cases

Introduction: Bladder tumours are frequent, have a poor prognosis and are the second most common genitourinary tumour in men. In Mali, recent statistical data on the prevalence of bladder tumours show a progression with 6.71% in 2006. The euro scanner is used in the diagnostic workup. The work was initiated in order to specify the role of the scanner in the diagnosis of these tumors. Patients and Methods: Prospective descriptive study was carried out in the medical imaging department of Mali Hospital from February to November 2018. Were included any patient with a bladder tumour on euro scanner. The patients had benefited from a preliminary preparation and a renal biological assessment in order to eliminate renal insufficiency. Our examinations were performed with a Siemens 16-slice scanner. These were axial slices performed without, with iodine injection from the pulmonary base to the pubic bones. Results: We had collected 17 patients out of 541 scans i.e. a frequency of 3.76%. The age range of 21 to 40 years was 58.8% with an average age of 25 years. The antecedents (ATCD) found were urinary bilharzia (47%) and smoking (17%). The clinic was dominated by haematuria. It was associated with a bladder mass (52%) and dysuria (23.52%). The CT scan showed a budding appearance, a size greater than 3 cm (82%), infiltration of peri-vesical fat (47.05%), and adenopathy (94%). Associated lesions were: utero-hydronephrosis (58.82%) and metastases (bone and liver in 11.76% of cases each). Conclusion: They are frequent and the history of urinary bilharziasis remains the main risk factor in endemic countries. CT scans are essential in the management of this disease. The diagnosis of certainty remains histology.

Sociodemographic and Scanographic Aspects of Primary Bronchopulmonary Cancer in a Hospital in Mali

Summary: A malignant tumour that develops from the bronchial epithelium and then invades the lungs. It ranks third after colorectal and breast cancer. In Mali, computed tomography (CT) is the main imaging tool used at all stages of treatment. We had initiated this study with the objective of specifying the place of CT in the diagnosis of primary bronchopulmonary cancer at the hospital of Mali. Method: This is a prospective and descriptive study conducted by the Medical Imaging and Thoracic Surgery departments at Mali Hospital from March 2014 to February 2015. All the patients who have benefited from a CT scan and presenting at least one histologically confirmed bronchopulmonary tumor were included. Results: We were recruiting 60 patients with bronchopulmonary cancers out of 500 referred for a thoracic CT scan performed, a frequency of 12%. There was one male patient with a sex ratio of 4H/1F. The average age was 60 years. The history of smoking was 85%. The symptoms were dominated by general condition (63.33%), cough (25%) and haemoptysis (58.33%). CT scans were performed in all patients. The lesions were located more in the lower lobes (71%). The tumours were: heterogeneous tissue density (70%), spiculated contours (80%), and the histology was more non-small cell carcinoma. Conclusion: The incidence of bronchopulmonary cancer is very high and its prognosis is poor at an advanced stage. The evaluative role of CT and biopsy guidance has given it a place of choice in its management. The diagnosis of certainty remains histology.