An audit of MRI in a teaching hospital in Nigeria: preliminary report

Abstract

Background: The advent of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Nigeria as a whole and in Jos in particular has added to the arsenal of valuable diagnostic tools in medical practice in this part of the world, with an increasing scope of its use. The aim of this study is to determine the indications, age range of patients investigated and findings on MRI at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Methods: A retrospective review of MRI investigations performed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital over an eighteen month period (May 2010-October 2011) Results: There were 161 MRI investigations carried out during the study period. Of these, 136 were patients from within the index hospital while 25 were referrals from outside. A total number of 90 males (55.9%) and 71 females (44.1%) were investigated. The overall mean age of patients was 42.5±16.9 years with a range of 2-73 years. The major indications for MRI are seizure disorder: 17(10.6%), suspected lumbar spondylosis: 16(10%), suspected intracranial space occupying lesion: 14(8.8%), and cerebrovascular accident: 11(6.9%). The highest findings on MRI were normal: 48(30%) and degenerative disc disease: 26(16.1%). Conclusion: Normal findings were mostly seen in MRI brain studies. Degenerative disc disease was mostly seen in MRI spine investigations.

Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Brain, Spine, Degenerative disc disease.

High Med Res J 2013;13:17-21