/library/oar/handle/123456789/51904 2025-12-27T06:45:17Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/53939 Title: The role of computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of cerebro vascular accident. Abstract: Cerebrovascular disease (CVA), more frequently known as stroke, is claimed to be the commonest brain disorder. According to Kitchen and Walker (2004), each year about 200 people per 100 000 population will have a first stroke in Europe. CV A may seriously impair health, highly reducing quality of life and it may also kill, thus quick diagnosis is imperial. The risk factors are various but the common ones are: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and smoking which all lead to atherosclerosis. These risks are a common factor in the Maltese population and unfortunately cerebrovascular disease is not uncommon, so the researcher decided to investigate more to explore this terrible disease, how it can be imaged and how diagnosis may effect treatment. The investigation involved a prospective study performed on a sample of 34 patients with varying age and gender, who were examined by CT after CV A. The researcher collected this data in the form of questionnaires. This took the form of a non-experimental, exploratory survey. Since the data collected was mostly quantitative, some simple statistics could be worked out to make sense of the data collected from the questionnaires transforming it into information and this manipulation made it possible to draw out light on the research questions asked, confirm literature findings and suggest some recommendations. CVA is a devastating and expensive health problem that strikes many adults leaving them disabled. CT is the primary imaging modality used in most hospital to differentiate between haemorrhage and ischaemia in patients suspected to have CV A. Plain CT is very good at detecting haemorrhage but not very sensitive for ischaemia during the first crucial hours. Unfortunately this is a very important timeframe for therapy options since the onset hours have the highest curative potential and the administration of a thrombolytic agent might reduce the severity of neurological dysfunction. For this purpose CTA and CTP increase the sensitivity by a large percentage and give more chance for the physician to spot the CV A and act quickly. This diagnosis may save lives and improve the quality of life of many patients. The government hospital can also save a lot of money since caring for lifelong disability is more expensive. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/53488 Title: Carcinoma of the prostate : correlation study between serum PSA level, Gleason score and presence of bone metastases on whole body scintigraphy. Abstract: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Europe and the United States of America, and is the second leading cause of death in men. From various studies the increase in prostate cancer rose steadily since the 1980's and this is mainly due to the increase in life expectancy. This is also seen locally as statistical values show a tendency that the number of diagnosed patients with prostate cancer has doubled in the last seven years. This research project involves a retrospective, non-experimental, quantitative, correlational study of serum PSA level, Gleason score and the presence of bone metastases on whole body scintigraphy, in male patients over the age of 50, with elevated PSA levels, query carcinoma of the prostate, or known cases of prostate cancer. Various evaluation methods are present for the detection of prostatic carcinoma. The gold standard techniques involve; PSA which is later referred to as Total PSA to evaluate the protein level produced by the prostate, Gleason score to evaluate prostatic histological changes and radionuclide bone scintigraphy to evaluate the presence of bone metastases in patients with carcinoma of the prostate. The data gathering tool used involved a table in which the age, bone scan result, Gleason score, PSA level (ng/ml) and Computed Tomography scans of the abdomen and pelvis, were marked. The results showed that patients with a positive bone scan result, demonstrate high Gleason scores and PSA levels. The study also indicated that 50% of the patients with a negative bone scan result had PSA levels between 0.5ng/ml and 20ng/ml which could be excluded from undergoing bone scintigraphy. Other results indicate that Gleason score is not related to age while PSA has a slight tendency to increase with age. This study also concluded that when the PSA is less than 20ng/ml and Gleason score is less than four a bone scan can be omitted unless the patient complains of bone pain, while when the PSA is above 45ng/ml and the Gleason score is six or more than a bone scan is essential. Based on this study, the researcher put forward a number of recommendations such as using a larger sample size to improve the significance of the study, narrow the study by selecting only the patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the prostate. The use of a Spiral CT scanner with 5mm thick slices could lead to a better study thus leading to earlier diagnoses of prostate carcinoma and invasion to adjacent area. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/51934 Title: Radiographer reporting of x-ray films in accident and emergency. Abstract: The study introduces the concept of radiographer reporting in A&E. The study was set to find out whether radiographers working in A&E wish to participate in reporting of x-rays. Various studies performed abroad were sought to support the new idea of radiographer reporting. In St. Luke's Hospital, Malta, radiographer reporting is not performed, but may be the insight of some radiographers. Due to the uncontrollable variables associated with A&E, mistakes ensue, and are often the result of doctors' inexperience in the field of radiology. The rationale for this thesis was to find out whether radiographers would like to perform reporting of the x-rays taken in A&E, knowing that these variables exist. Apart from radiographers, radiologists and the management were also asked about their views on radiographer reporting. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of radiographers, radiologists, and the management to identify some important points, such as the possibility of radiographer reporting, the support from each aspect, and the provision of training. These results were analysed to see whether the main objectives of this study have been reached. The radiographers expressed their opinions quite positively towards reporting and believe that they are capable of performing it. They also are aware of the barriers that doctors and other health care professionals encounter in A&E, thus want to help in reducing the mistakes that may occur. Recommendations were based on the study that has been performed, in order to bring out that reporting in necessary to broaden the horizons of the radiography profession, as well as to support the health service. This would reflect on the efficacy of the hospital in delivering optimal quality service and supreme patient care. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/47624 Title: The role of the radiographer in paediatric imaging. Abstract: Paediatric radiography is the imaging of young children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiographer's role in paediatric imaging. Good communication and full cooperation from the young patient help a lot in an X-ray examination. The child may feel more at ease and no repeats will be needed since the child will remain still during the examination and there will not be motion blur. These may be encouraged by having a good environment and good paediatric radiographers. The role of play and distraction techniques helps furthermore to make the child feel comfortable. Sometimes, immobilization techniques may be used to immobilize the young patient. Furthermore, digital radiography systems may help the radiographer to get a better image with more diagnostic information than conventional imaging. These digital systems even help the radiographer to reduce the amount of repeat X-rays, since image manipulation can be done with digital radiography. Description: DIP.RADIOGRAPHY 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z