ABSTRACT
Background: Accurately estimated foetal weight (EFW) is critical for obstetric management, yet conventional two-dimensional biometric foetal formulas often exhibit significant error margins due to their failure to account for foetal soft tissues. This study evaluated the reliability of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional foetal thigh volume measurements as predictors of actual birth weight (ABW) within a Nigerian population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 apparently healthy pregnant women (36–40 weeks gestation) at a diagnostic facility in Onitsha, Anambra State. Two-dimensional biometry was performed using the Hadlock IV formula, while three-dimensional thigh volumes were examined using a Mindray (EA6132B) volumetric transducer and analyzed offline via MicroDicom software. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation, linear regression, and Bland-Altman agreement analysis via IBM SPSS version 21.0. Results: The mean ABW was 3.76 ± 0.34 kg, while that of 2-D EFW was 3.63±0.36 kg. A significant positive correlation (p<0.001) was found for both 2-D (r=0.504) (p = < 0.001) and 3-D (r = 0.589) (p = <0.001) thigh volumes against the actual birth weight measured at birth. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed a systematic mean bias of −0.12 kg, confirming that conventional 2-D biometry consistently underestimates birth weight in the study population. High predictive power was observed in the derived 3-D regression model (R2 = 0.977). A novel prediction regression equation (3D ThV=94.947+0.276×2D ThV) was developed to estimate three-dimensional volumes from two-dimensional parameters. Conclusion: Three-dimensional foetal thigh volume is a more reliable predictor of birth weight than two-dimensional measurements, as it more accurately reflects subcutaneous tissue mass. The localized regression models developed in this study provides improved weight prediction and obstetric outcomes in resource-limited settings.

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Background: Malaria can significantly affect the structure and function of the placenta, leading to changes in its thickness and morphology, which maybe common low resources income countries such as Nigeria. This study was designed to assess the impact of malaria on placental thickness and morphology in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in Onitsha Anambra state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study design was a case control carried among pregnant women with malaria and comparing with apparently health controls. Both groups undergo laboratory test for malaria and ultrasound scan for placental thickness and placental morphology using standard protocols. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for statistical analysis with level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Malaria status did not have a significant effect on placental thickness (F(1, 394) = 0.041, p = 0.84). There was a significant main effect of trimester (F(1, 394) = 9.233, p=0.001). There is no significant difference in placental morphology between malaria-affected pregnancies and healthy controls (F(1, 396) = 1.049, p = 0.31). Conclusion: Placental thickness differs between the second and third trimesters and increases from the second to the third trimester in both malaria-positive and healthy control groups. Malaria status did not meaningfully alter the pattern of placental growth across trimesters. There is no significant difference in placental morphology between malaria-affected pregnancies and healthy controls and placental morphology does not significantly differ between the second and third trimesters. Also, the interaction between malaria status and trimester was not statistically significant.

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Background: The role of table salt (Nacl) as one of the most essential and indispensable ingredients in food cannot be overemphasized. Its usefulness in food seasoning and preservation is a common knowledge. However, its excessive consumption may pose adverse effect on human health. Being a product of our natural environment, it contains naturally occurring radionuclide material (NORMs) such as Potassium-40 (40K), Radium (226Ra) and Thorium-232 (232Th). Aim: to evaluate the Activity Concentrations and potential health Hazards associated with routine consumption of three popular brands of iodized Salt used in Anambra state, Nigerian, with emphasis on internal exposure to radiation. Salt samples were collected from major markets located within the study area. Materials and Methods: The samples were prepared and analyzed for radionuclides activity concentration using a pre-calibrated 76 × 76 mm NaI (Tl) gamma spectrometry. The activity concentrations (Bq/kg) range from 97.21–125.14 for 40K, 2.24–4.65 for 226Ra and 7.25–12.18 for 232Th. The estimated daily intake of salt among Nigerians is 5.8g per day (2118.45g/year). The total Annual Effective Dose due to ingestion range from 0.0061-0.0103 mSv per year which is lower than ICRP recommended dose of 1.0 mSv per year. Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk from Salt consumption ranges approximately between 2.36 x 10-5 to 3.98 x 10-5 which is relatively lower than the permissible value (0.29 x 10-3) recommended by UNSCEAR. Consequently, the risk of developing cancer from the estimated values range from one in 42,373 to one in 25,126 persons exposed to these Salt samples over their lifetime. However, it is worthy of note that the actual risk may vary depending on other several factors such as individual susceptibility and specific radiation exposure scenarios. This finding indicates that consumption of these Salt products does not pose significant Radiological Health hazard to the population.

ABSTRACT
Sphenoid sinus meningoencephaloceles are rare basal skull defects characterized by herniation of meninges and brain tissue into the sphenoid sinus. They can present with nonspecific symptoms such as chronic headache and may be mistaken for benign sinus pathology. We report a case of a patient with persistent headache and CSF rhinorrhoea in whom imaging revealed herniation of the right temporal lobe and the meninges through a bony defect in the right lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus, identified by High Resolution CT of the paranasal sinuses and MR Cisternography. This case underscores the importance of considering skull base defects in the differential diagnosis of isolated sphenoid sinus lesions and highlights the utility of combined CT and MRI imaging. Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial to prevent complications such as meningitis or neurologic deterioration.

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Background: Hypertension is a serious worldwide health concern, significantly contributing to cardiac complications such as myocardial ischemia and heart failure. Chest discomfort, in hypertensive patients, can be a sign of serious illnesses such as myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging that is essential for assessing the structure and function of the heart. It can identify cardiac disorders like diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which are more prevalent in hypertensive patients. As such, an echocardiographic examination can improve cardiac diagnosis and offer insightful information about cardiac health. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate echocardiographic findings of hypertensive patients who presented with chest pain at the University Teaching Adult Hospital (UTH-Adult Hospital). Methods: This study utilised a quantitative cross sectional study design. Purposeful sampling was used to select a total of 110 participants who were examined using echocardiography. Data was collected from July to September, 2025. Results: The majority of the research participants were females (80; 72.73%) and had abnormal echocardiography findings (95; 86.36%). The most predominate echocardiography finding in this study was diastolic dysfunction, grade 1 (89; 80.91%). This study also found that there were no significant associations between echocardiographic parameters and the clinical manifestation of chest pain. (RVOT, p=0.701; LVd, p=0.878; LA, p=0.728; F/S, p=0.740; EF, p=0.734; IVSd, p=0.352: LVPWd, p=0.688; AoR, p=0.442; Diastolic function, p=0.518). Conclusion: This study showed that most patients maintained sufficient left ventricular performance despite some functional alterations. This could be attributed to early hypertensive stage. It found no significant relationship between echocardiography parameters and the clinical presentation of chest pain. This suggests that chest pain, may be multi

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Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in preterm infants. This condition results from surfactant deficiency and structural immaturity of the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange. Chest X-ray remains an important diagnostic tool for confirming respiratory distress syndrome and assessing disease severity, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the chest X-ray findings in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and determine the association between gestational age and disease severity. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2024 to July 2025. A total of 110 neonates with clinically suspected respiratory distress syndrome were included. Data were collected prospectively using structured forms to record the demographic characteristics and radiological findings. Chest X-ray images were evaluated to identify characteristic patterns and severity grading. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Most neonates were preterm and had a low birth weight. The most common radiological finding was a ground-glass or reticulogranular pattern (83.6 %), followed by an air bronchogram (70.9%) and reduced lung volume (66.4%). Grade II severity was the most frequently observed (37.3%). A significant association was found between gestational age and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.002), with severe disease being more common in neonates less than 34 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Chest X-ray demonstrates characteristic radiological patterns that help diagnose and assess the severity of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Early identification of imaging features may facilitate timely management and improve the neonatal outcomes.

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Background and Objective: Among Zambian women, uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynaecological tumours, causing significant morbidity and infertility. There is inadequate information demonstrating a link between the sonographic features of uterine fibroids and blood oestrogen levels, despite theories suggesting oestrogen as the main risk factor. The study aimed to explore the relationship between the profiled sonographic characteristics of uterine fibroids and oestrogen hormone levels in women of reproductive age (15-49 years) at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH), Lusaka, Zambia. Methodology: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study. One hundred and forty-two reproductive-age women confirmed to have uterine fibroids on ultrasound were recruited. An ultrasound was performed, followed by a laboratory test for oestrogen levels. A questionnaire was also used to obtain participants' demographic, uterine fibroid sonographic characteristics and oestrogen hormone levels. Descriptive and inferential statistics were run for the analysis. Results: The median age was 33years (IQR 29-38), and the BMI median was 30 (IQR 24.6-35). The majority of the participants were either overweight or obese (61.1%). Furthermore, the majority were nulliparous (35%) and had a positive family history of fibroids (61%). The prevalence of elevated oestrogen levels among uterine fibroid participants was 61.3% (N=87/142). There was a statistically significant association between the size of UFs and oestrogen level (r = 0.844, p = 0.001), statistically significant positive relationship between submucosal UFs and oestrogen hormone level (r= 0.513, p = 0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between hypoechoic fibroids and oestrogen hormone level was observed (r=0.290, p = 0.001), the number of UFs against oestrogen level showed a strong positive relationship (r=0.710, p= 0.001). Conclusion: The study reviewed that there is a correlation between oestrogen