A Tally of Computed Tomographic Scan Findings in the Immediate Post-Installation Period in a Rural Based Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: The utilization of Computed Tomographic scanners for imaging has gradually evolved in Nigeria since the installation of the first scanner at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in 1989. However, most rural and sub-urban health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack this all-important modality.

Aim and Objectives: To retrospectively determine the pattern of distribution of CT requests, indications and findings on imaging amongst a small cohort of patients scanned in the immediate post-installation phase of a 32-slice Canon CT scanner.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the requests and reports of thirty patients who had undergone CT examinations of different body regions within the first ten days of installation of a 32-slice Aquilion CT scanner at the Radiology department of one of Nigerias’ leading infectious disease hospital (Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital) in Irrua town. The data were retrieved, coded and entered into Microsoft excel spreadsheet and further analysed using SPSS version 21.

Results: Male patients were more than females in an approximate ratio of 2:1. Majority of patients fell within the age range of 18-64 years. Stroke was the commonest indication and accounted for 33.3% of patients imaged. Although, the craniofacial region was the most commonly imaged region for suspected neurological diseases accounting for 20(67%) of patients, the brain was observed to be grossly normal in 7(23.3%) patients. Rhinosinusitis was the commonest finding seen.

Conclusions: Males were the most commonly scanned group, while the craniofacial region was the most imaged region. Neurological disorders and stroke cases together accounted for most CT referrals with stroke being the commonest. Rhinosinusitis and normal brain morphology were the most commonly encountered findings.