Mohamed E. M. Gar-Elnabi

Findings in CSOM: Our Experience in Sudanese Population-A CT based Study

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the leading causes of hearing impairment in developing countries. Objectives: are to highlight the high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) temporal bone findings in chronic middle ear infections with reference to it ’ s extent and complications, as well, the presented common signs, symptoms and the duration impact on the anatomical structures and pathological changes in each part and for both sides. Materials and Methods: Preliminary clinical assessment was obtained for 114 patients diagnosed with CSOM, and then they were referred for a HRCT of temporal bone which was done using multi-detector CT scanner. Results: Of the 114 patients; 63(55.3%) were males and 51(44.7%) were females: Otorrhoea is the most common symptom, and was found in 113 patients constituting (99.1%) followed by Otolegia 69(60.5%) and headache affected 53(46.5%) of the cases. CSOM is more common in low socio-economic status .In ears affected with CSOM, the maximum CT number (Hounsfield) was found to be changed and was significantly affected with increasing patients’ age. Sclerotic changes and soft tissue density increased as the duration of CSOM increased in right and left middle ears significantly (F=5.802, Sig at 0.000), and (F=23.182, Sig at .015) respectively. Partial and complete erosion were detected in both right and left ossicle in the advanced phase of disease, where the ossicle still intact in the early stage , and the correlation is found to be significant with increasing of CSOM duration (F=16.959, Sig 0.000) and (F= 3.673, Sig =0.036)for right and left ossicles respectively. Changes including total and partial opacification, sclerotic changes, soft tissue density, mucosal thickening were the findings detected in both right and left mastoid in HRCT for temporal bone scanning. Conclusions: HRCT of temporal bone is useful in identifying various findings related to the location and extent of disease.

Assessment of Spatial Resolution on SPECT using Image Processing

The main objective of this study to assess the spatial resolution of SPECT gamma camera using developed Algorithm via image processing procedure. Usually assessment done through visual inspection of phantom images i.e. visual perception trend; in this study, separate algorithm was developed using Interactive Data Language IDL software to quantify the resolution with Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). The data were collected from Departments of nuclear medicine in main hospitals in Khartoum – Sudan (RCIH & RICK) in period from 2015 to 2017; images of QC test were taken from SPECT gamma camera as DICOM format. The result showed that the resolution for minimum object used 4mm was 70% and increased with object size increased to reach 100% resolution for an object size of 10 mm i.e. 100% resolution corresponds to the coordinate of the MTF at 10% and frequency of 0.05cycle /mm. Inconclusion the developed algorithm can be used objectively and improved as required without looking for expertise from other country, as well it can be made to check the acceptance of the device performance regardless the built-in programs.