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Background: Modic changes (MCs) are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal alterations in the vertebral endplates and adjacent bone marrow, classified into types 1 (inflammatory), 2 (fatty), and 3 (sclerotic). Their prevalence and clinical significance, particularly in sub-Saharan African populations, are not well characterized and may be influenced by local demographic and biomechanical factors. Objective: To determine the prevalence, distribution, and demographic associations of Modic changes in patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spine disease at the Garoua Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Out of 418 lumbar MRI scans performed between January 2023 and June 2025, 121 patients with degenerative pathology were included. MCs were evaluated on T1- and T2-weighted sagittal images and classified according to the standard Modic system. Associations with age, sex, and occupation were analyzed using Chi-square tests in SPSS 20.0. Results: The overall prevalence of MCs in our symptomatic cohort was 48.3% (59/121). Modic type 2 was the most common subtype (25.7%), followed by type 1 (16.5%) and type 3 (6.1%). A highly significant gender-specific distribution was observed: Modic type 1 changes were significantly more prevalent in males (25.9% vs. 9.0%; p=0.005), while Modic type 3 changes showed a strong female predominance (11.9% vs. 1.9%; p=0.002). The most affected occupational groups were female traders and housewives. Conclusion: This study provides novel data on Modic changes in a West African population. Nearly half of symptomatic patients exhibited MCs, with a clear and significant gender disparity: an inflammatory pattern (Modic 1) associated with males and a sclerotic pattern (Modic 3) associated with females. These findings suggest potentially distinct pathophysiological pathways or risk factor exposures influenced by gender, possibly related to occupational biomechanics and hormonal factors. Rec

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Background: Buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma poses a significant public health burden in Bangladesh, with over 7,000 new cases annually. The accuracy of MDCT in preoperative staging and its correlation with histopathological TNM staging remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between MDCT findings and histopathological TNM staging in patients with buccal malignancy. Methods: This cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study at the Departments of Radiology and Imaging, Otolaryngology and Head–Neck Surgery, and Pathology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital (March 2020–February 2022) included 65 histopathologically confirmed buccal malignancy patients who underwent punch biopsy, contrast-enhanced MDCT, and surgical resection for TNM staging. MDCT findings were compared with histopathology, data were analyzed using SPSS v23, and ethical approval with informed consent was obtained. Results: Among 65 patients (mean age 52.8 ± 11.1 years; 67.7% male), MDCT detected retromolar trigone involvement in 42 (64.6%) and masticator space in 28 (43.1%), with bone involvement in 16 (24.7%) and ipsilateral lymph nodes in 50 (77.0%). Histopathology showed Stage IVB in 27 (41.5%) and IVA in 20 (30.8%). Radiological staging concordance was highest for Stage IVB (96.3%), and MDCT demonstrated high sensitivity (75–96.3%), specificity (94.5–98.2%), and accuracy (>92%) across stages. Conclusion: MDCT reliably correlates with histopathological TNM staging and accurately guides preoperative assessment in buccal malignancy.

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Background: Spinal dermoid cysts are rare congenital tumours, accounting for approximately 1% of spinal tumours. Rupture of these lesions is uncommon, and dissemination of lipid material typically occurs into the subarachnoid or intraventricular spaces. Isolated rupture with lipid spread into the central canal is exceptionally rare. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 20-year-old male who initially presented with bilateral lower limb weakness and urinary disturbances. Baseline MRI revealed a heterogeneous conus mass without evidence of rupture. During follow-up, the patient developed progressive neurological deficits over two years. Repeat MRI demonstrated multiple lipid droplets within a dilated central canal, consistent with rupture of the conus dermoid. Discussion: While ruptured spinal dermoid cysts have been described, dissemination of lipid material confined to the central canal is exceedingly uncommon. This case underscores the importance of long-term follow-up, as delayed rupture can result in progressive neurological deterioration. MRI plays a crucial role not only in identifying the primary lesion but also in tracking unusual dissemination patterns. Conclusion: Ruptured conus dermoid cysts with lipid dissemination into the central canal are rare. Early recognition and vigilant follow-up are essential for timely intervention and prevention of irreversible neurological deficits.

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A 44-year-old-woman presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of abdominal pain. Her temperature was 38.8°C. On physical examination, there was tenderness in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen and yellow skin. Two days before presentation, she had noted the appearance of tea color urine, Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones (CBD) and findings consistent with cholangitis. A diagnosis of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis secondary to CBD stones was made. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed.

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Background: Hypothyroidism has well-documented systemic effects, including alterations in renal hemodynamics and metabolism. These changes may lead to a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), potentially mimicking chronic kidney disease. Evidence from North-Eastern Nigeria remains limited. Objective: To assess the impact of hypothyroidism on estimated glomerular filtration rate among adults in North-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional comparative study included 150 adults comprising 75 patients with hypothyroidism and 75 euthyroid controls. Serum creatinine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured. Estimated GFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multivariable linear regression. Results: Mean eGFR was significantly lower in hypothyroid participants compared with euthyroid controls (74.9 ± 21.6 vs. 94.3 ± 18.9 mL/min/1.73 m²; p < 0.001). Serum TSH showed a significant inverse correlation with eGFR (r = −0.45, p < 0.001). Hypothyroidism remained an independent predictor of reduced eGFR after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is associated with significantly reduced estimated GFR among adults in North-Eastern Nigeria. Thyroid function testing should be considered in patients with unexplained reduction in eGFR to avoid misclassification of chronic kidney disease.

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Introduction: Rapid clinical and radiological evaluation provides the foundation for the immediate treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), which are medical emergencies. In order to diagnose the etiology of AIS/TIA and aid establish the best course of treatment, there are international recommendations for performing head computed tomography (CT) scans. However, these researchers noticed that the radiographers, at the study sites in Zambia, employ the traditional plain pre-set brain CT scan imaging parameters. This research demonstrated the need to adjust these pre-set imaging parameters, so as to improve the resultant images. Aim: The aim of this study was to improve CT image quality for AIS/TIA patients. Methods: This study used a quantitative, comparative research design. The first step involved a quantitative, retrospective assessment of patient files to determine the current head CT scan parameters used in imaging patients with AIS/TIA. The reconstruction and implementation of the international criteria for the imaging of these patients constituted the subsequent prospective quantitative phase. Adjusted CT imaging parameters were applied after the retrospective and prospective data statistical analysis. The sample (N=202 images) was purposefully selected. Results: The study improved the ability to enhance the contrast of diagnostic images at lower radiation dose index output. Following the intervention, the average image contrast increased from 4.28 to 5.22Hu (21.96% increase) and the CT dosage index output was reduced by 72.42%. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the modified imaging system can be more effective than the traditional AIS/TIA imaging systems currently in use in Zambia

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We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, at the Regional Medical Imaging Center of Ngaoundéré (CRIMN), Cameroon, evaluating the diagnostic utility of obstetric ultrasound in identifying causes of third-trimester metrorrhagia (vaginal bleeding ≥28 weeks of gestation). From May to October 2021, 30 women with metrorrhagia among 302 obstetric ultrasound referrals were included. The prevalence of third-trimester bleeding was 9.93%, with retroplacental hematoma (30%), intrauterine fetal death (23%), and premature rupture of membranes (20%) as leading causes. Placenta previa accounted for 10%. Notably, 60% of bleeding episodes in viable pregnancies had no identifiable ultrasound etiology—a rate higher than in high-resource settings. Sociodemographic analysis revealed younger women (18–25 years) were disproportionately affected by fetal death and membrane rupture, while placental abruption predominated in older women (26–35 years). Urban residence (63%) suggested potential referral bias, whereas rural representation (37%) highlighted gaps in prenatal care access. The study underscores obstetric ultrasound’s crucial role in diagnosing life-threatening conditions (e.g., abruption, previa) in low-resource settings. However, its limitations in detecting subtle etiologies emphasize the need for complementary diagnostics and improved operator training. These findings advocate for enhanced prenatal monitoring and targeted interventions to reduce maternal-fetal morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Strengths included standardized imaging protocols and ethical rigor, while limitations involved sample size constraints and the single-center design.