Radiation dose risk variability and its implication in industrial and mining regions, NW Nigeria

The study area located in the southern part of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, has witnessed intense mining activities and upscale industrialization in recent years. These events have necessitated deeper and insightful studies into radiological hazard evaluation to mitigate associated adverse consequences and enforce protective measures in the environment. A total of 45 sampled locations each were taken for both industrial and mining sites in northwestern Nigeria to determine the concentration of Potassium-40, Thorium-232 and Uranium-238 radionuclides as applied to radiological hazard analysis. The mean value of the absorbed dose in the industrial site was 90 nGy/h, whereas the mining site recorded a mean value of 210 nGy/h. Other radiological indices such as radium equivalent factor, external risk assessment, internal index and representative gamma index recorded mean values of 187.68, 0.507, 0.547 and 0.768 respectively, whereas the same hazard indices presented higher values of 412.58, 1.114, 1.231 and 1.675 respectively in the mining site. The variability studies showed that the dose risk ratio of the industrial region to the mining region is 1:2. The mining site presented radiological hazard indices higher than the recommended global threshold hence should be classified as a restricted zone to forestall health-related crises which may manifest among local dwellers.

Assessment of the dynamics of x-ray morphometric indices of the jaws in children with variable bite

Purpose: to determine the peculiarities of the dynamics of the roentgenomorphometric indices of the jaws in children during the period of mixed bite. Materials and methods. The study assessed the dynamics of radiological indices (mental index (MI), gonial index (GI), upper and lower panoramic mandibular indices (PMI-S and PMI-i)). The study used orthopantomograms of 107 children (65 boys and 42 girls) aged 6–13 years from Lvov and Lviv region. All children were divided into age groups with the preservation of a proportional and harmonious distribution, both by sex and by age. Results. After evaluating the results of the study, the age periods of active restructuring of the bone structure of the child's jaws were identified. A characteristic feature of variations in index indicators is different age phases of active changes for boys and girls. The only common period for both sexes is the age of 9–10 years, when there is an increase in almost all index indicators, which coincides with the beginning of the eruption of multi-rooted teeth. Conclusions. Evaluation of index indicators using orthopantomograms in children during the period of mixed bite is an important diagnostic criterion for detecting active morphometric changes in the bone structures of the maxillofacial region, as well as an auxiliary diagnostic criterion when planning the timing of dental or orthodontic intervention. Key words: orthopantomogram, radiological indices, mental index, gonial index, upper and lower panoramic mandibular indices.

The Paley ilioischial limb modification of the Dega osteotomy

BackgroundWe aim to describe a modified Dega osteotomy technique in detail, emphasizing its eventual advantages in comparison to the original Dega osteotomy and ‘San Diego’ modification. We also present our related literature review on various osteotomy techniques.MethodsWe reviewed the radiological indices of 27 dysplastic hips in 25 children with cerebral palsy and developmental dislocation of the hips (9 boys, 16 girls; mean age, 5 years) who underwent a modified Dega osteotomy according to Paley.ResultsComparing the radiological indices results between our patients and those reported by the various authors in the literature, the data are almost identical.ConclusionsThe modified Dega osteotomy is the only technique wherein all two limbs of the triradiate cartilage are true, which becomes a single hinge where the osteotomy turns. Despite the similar results in the radiological indices between our patients and those in the literature, we still consider that the entire triradiate cartilage is a better hinge point for the iliac osteotomy. The difference between the osteotomy adopted in our institution and the modality described by most authors in the literature is that the latter mostly ignore or miss the ischial limb of the triradiate cartilage.

Is a derived Caton-Deschamps index for arthroplasty a reliable and valid measure of patella height?

Measuring patella height has been a hot topic for decades. Multiple radiological indices exist for native knees and arthroplasty. A concise concept of patella height analysis is needed for daily practice and scientific research.

Comparative study between open and arthroscopic techniques for scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis

This study presents our technique of arthroscopic scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis and compares the clinical and radiological outcomes with those achieved with the open method. Twenty-seven patients (14 in arthroscopy group and 13 in open group) were included. Bone union was achieved in 13 of 14 patients in the arthroscopy group and in all 13 patients in the open group. In the open group, severe stiffness (flexion–extension arc was 10°) occurred in one patient after surgery. The mean postoperative flexion–extension arc was 75° and 51° in the arthroscopy group and open group, respectively. The pain, clinical scores, and radiological indices were improved in both arthroscopy and open groups. Arthroscopic and open scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis did not show significant differences in clinical outcomes and bone union rates. The arthroscopic method provided a superior range of motion. Level of evidence: III

Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in stony sand from Black Stone Beach of Kuantan, the Peninsular Malaysia

Black Stone Beach (or Pantai Batu Hitam) of Kuantan, Malaysia is a windy but unique beach located on the coastal strip, and has become an attraction for tourists from within and outside the country for many years due to its scenic dark rock formations. Considering the radiological safety of human health, a study was conducted to assess the concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials in the beach environment. Activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the stony sand samples collected from the beach area were assessed by using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry. The measured external gamma radiation dose rates and the activity concentrations were found to ranges 22–31 nGy.h−1 and 9.8 ± 0.6 to 12.4 ± 0.7 Bq.kg−1, 6.8 ± 0.5 to 8.8 ± 0.6 Bq.kg−1 and 209 ± 11 to 354 ± 17 Bq.kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The mean values of typical radiological indices such as radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual effective dose were found to be 17.82 Bq.kg−1 and 10.86 × 10−3 mSv.year−1 which were far below the world average values of 370 Bq.kg−1 and 2.4 mSv.year−1 set by the UNSCEAR, respectively. Present results served as an important reference for any future radiological study in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Features of changes in the quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients against the background of its effective treatment

For the determination of characteristics of LQ ofpatients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and evaluation of the efficacy of the management there was used Health Utilities Index (HUI) questionnaire. The study involved 99 CF patients at the age of from 5 to 18 years. The comparison group - 102 conditionally healthy peers of the same age. All children underwent to a comprehensive medical examination and treatment. LQ assessment was carried with the aid of the HUI questionnaire. CF patients were found to have a significant decline in overall LQ in 84,8% of cases in comparison with their healthy peers. Analysis of the «way of life cohort» showed the fall in multiattribute utility indices in children at the age of 6.12 and 16 years. There was also noted a pronounced decline of indices on attributes: «pain» in 55,6%, «emotions» - in 65,6% and the «self-care» - in 20,2% of cases. Factors significantly affecting on LQ of CF patients were established to be: the presence of homozygous or heterozygous delta F508 mutation, disturbances of the respiratory function and malnutrition, which contributed to a decrease as in the overall index as well in specific aspects of LQ. Against the background of the management during the one hospitalization there was noted the positive dynamics due to the gain in the index of the emotional background. A similar situation was revealed after 6 months in re-hospitalization. Pronounced positive dynamics was noted after the management of patients with severe course of the disease, the worst values of radiological indices and a decline in FEV1 indices. The authors believe the study of LQ of CF patients to be important not only for the evaluation of the impact of the disease on the patient’s LQ, but also for the determination of the efficacy of the management.

Ankle and Hindfoot Symptoms after Medial Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is a commonly performed procedure for symptomatic medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about its effects on ipsilateral ankle or hindfoot. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of ankle or hindfoot problems after MOWHTO and examine its association with radiological indices. Thirty-five knees (32 patients) undergoing navigated MOWHTO were evaluated for the presence of new-onset ankle or hindfoot symptoms after surgery. Pre- and postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and tibial plafond inclination (TPI) were measured and compared on standing lower limb alignment radiographs. The mean postoperative change in HKA angle, MPTA, and TPI was 8.8°, 7.0°, and 8.4°, respectively. New-onset unexplained ankle or hindfoot symptoms were seen in 20% of the cases after surgery. Postoperative change in TPI was significantly greater in symptomatic patients as compared with asymptomatic ones (12.8° ± 4.9° vs. 8.1° ± 4.8°, p = 0.03). The odds ratio (OR) for developing ankle or hindfoot symptoms in cases with ≥ 10° change in TPI postoperatively was 10.8 (p = 0.04). Ankle or hindfoot symptoms were successfully managed with conservative treatment in all cases.