DEPARTMENT OF RADIOGRAPHY

This retrospective diagnostic accuracy study evaluated the performance of plain skull radiographs in detecting skull fractures among elderly patients(≥ 65 years) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), using computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard. A total of 41 patient with 31 further referred for CT scan, which was done within a 72-hour interval between January 2022 and June 2025, were reviewed. The study cohort demonstrated a high fracture prevalence of 46.2%. Nearly 76% of patients who initially underwent X-ray were subsequently referred for CT. Diagnostic analysis revealed high sensitivity (89.47%), meeting the predefined clinical benchmark (≥90%), but suboptimal specificity (83.3%), which fell short of the target threshold. This resulted in 2 missed fractures (false negatives), largely attributed to the difficulty in X-ray in determining certain type of fracture (basal skull fracture). The study concludes that, despite its high sensitivity, plain skull X-ray lacks sufficient specificity to reliably exclude fractures in high-risk elderly patients at UBTH. It is therefore recommended that CT be adopted as the primary imaging modality for elderly head trauma, accompanied by targeted professional training to enhance the recognition of subtle fractures on X-ray

Background: Entrepreneurship has become an essential component of healthcare innovation, offering professionals in technical fields such as radiography opportunities for career advancement and self-reliance. However, many radiographers remain underprepared to explore entrepreneurial ventures due to limited knowledge, poor awareness of support systems, and systemic barriers. Aim: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness, and the factors influencing radiographers’ engagement in entrepreneurial ventures in radiography. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 31 radiographers in Benin City. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used for data analysis, while the Chi-square statistical test was applied to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings revealed that most radiographers had a fair level of knowledge about entrepreneurship but showed low awareness of existing support systems and opportunities for business development in radiography. Major barriers identified included lack of startup capital (71.0%), absence of entrepreneurship training in radiography education (80.6%), and bureaucratic licensing procedures (67.7%). The Chi-square analysis further showed a significant relationship between radiographers’ level of knowledge and awareness of entrepreneurial ventures. Conclusion: The study concluded that radiographers possess moderate knowledge but low awareness and limited practical preparedness for entrepreneurship. Financial limitations, inadequate curriculum emphasis, and insufficient mentorship opportunities were key constraints. It was recommended that entrepreneurship modules be incorporated into radiography curricula, with policy support and access to funding programs to promote self-employment among radiographers.

In the intricate world of modern healthcare, where technology and human expertise intersect, diagnostic radiology stands as one of the most remarkable achievements. Yet, behind every powerful image produced through X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy lies an invisible, potent force ionizing radiation. The study aimed to assess the level of practice of personnel radiation monitoring among radiology staff in Benin city. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used, census sampling was used to select a total of 60 respondents participated. The findings revealed that awareness levels were very high. Nearly all respondents recognized the risks of occupational radiation exposure, had received training on radiation safety, and were familiar with monitoring principles such as ALARA. In contrast, actual practice of radiation monitoring was less consistent. While radiographers adhered strongly to safety practices and many indicated they practiced monitoring even without supervision, compliance with the routine use and submission of dosimeters was far from universal. Challenges to monitoring were largely institutional. Respondents highlighted irregular supply of dosimeters, lack of timely feedback, and inadequate training as the most pressing obstacles. Hypothesis testing confirmed that awareness and practice are significantly related. In conclusion radiographers with higher awareness were more likely to engage in consistent monitoring practices, suggesting that knowledge plays an important role in shaping behavior, though institutional support is also necessary.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial diagnostic technique that provides detailed information about soft tissues without exposing patients to ionizing radiation. MRI has a lot of benefits, but it also has a lot of safety dangers because of its strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency exposure.This study assessed the understanding and knowledge of MRI safety issues among clinical radiography students at the University of Benin. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and tables and percentages were utilized to present the findings. The results of the study showed that while the majority of participants understood MRI safety to a respectable degree, there were noticeable gaps in their knowledge of screening protocols, emergency response,and identification of magnetic field zones.Students who had attended formal MRI lectures or participated in clinical MRI rotations demonstrated better safety knowledge compared to those who had not. In conclusion, while radiography students at the University of Benin exhibit a fair level of awareness of MRI safety, there is still a need for more comprehensive inclusion of MRI safety education and simulation-based learning within the curriculum. Improving MRI safety training during undergraduate studies will enhance safe clinical practice and minimise the likelihood of safety incidents.

Radiographic imaging has become a crucial element in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury to direct treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used on 105 football players in Benin Metropolis. The structured questionnaire included the data collected concerning the history of injury, imaging use, and radiological service satisfaction. The purposive sampling was employed, and SPSS version 29 was applied to examine the data. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and Chi-square tests were used to establish associations at a level of significance of 0.05. About 97 of 105 players (92.4) said that they had suffered sports related injuries. Ankle 46 (43.8%) and knee 37 (35.2) were most affected with muscles strain 54 (51.4) and sprain 28 (26.7) being key types of injury. The most frequently used imaging modalities were Xray 41 (39.0) and CT 36 (34.3), whereas the MRI and ultrasound were underutilized. The association was significant between age and frequency of injury (p = 0.011) and between training frequency and body part affected (p = 0.000), not type of injury and the use of imaging (p = 0.052). Radiological services also satisfied about 83 (79.0) players, 77 (73.3) played that imaging promoted their recovery process. Radiographic imaging is helpful in accurate diagnosis, treatment choice, and management outcome in sports related injuries. It is highly suggested that radiographers should be integrated into sports medical teams and greater availability of advanced imaging modalities should also be provided.
Keywords: Sports trauma, radiological examination, football, computer tomography, and radiologist.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a relatively simple, safe, and minimally invasive radiological examination used to visualize the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes through the introduction of a contrast medium. Beyond its diagnostic value, HSG also offers therapeutic benefits in the assessment and management planning of infertility. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine how pre-procedure education and counseling influence pain perception and anxiety levels among women undergoing HSG. A total of sixty-nine (69) women were selected using a purposive sampling method to ensure appropriate representation of individuals scheduled for the procedure. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for assessing pain intensity, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for evaluating anxiety before, during, and after the examination. All collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Socio-demographic analysis showed that 25 participants (36.2%) were between 20–29 years, 24 (34.8%) were aged 30–39 years, and 20 (29.0%) fell within 40–49 years. Regarding educational attainment, 44 respondents (63.8%) had university or postgraduate qualifications, whereas 25 (36.2%) had only primary or secondary school education. The majority, 53 women (76.8%), were married. Of the
participants, 35 (50.7%) were assigned to the intervention group and received comprehensive information about the HSG procedure, while 34 (49.3%) formed the control group and did not receive such guidance. Within the intervention group, 32 women (91.4%) reported that the education and counseling were extremely beneficial, while the remaining 3 (8.6%) found them moderately helpful. Pain assessment revealed that in the control group, 58.8% experienced moderate pain and 41.2% reported severe pain. Conversely, among the intervention group, 82.9% reported only mild pain and 17.1% experienced moderate pain. Anxiety levels followed a similar pattern: 67.7% of the control group exhibited high anxiety, whereas 88.6% of the intervention group reported minimal anxiety. Hypothesis testing indicated that all comparisons between the control and intervention groups yielded p-values less than 0.05, signifying statistically significant differences. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted.

Introduction: Newly certified radiographers often face various challenges when transitioning from academic training to professional practice. These challenges can affect their confidence, performance and overall professional development. This study focused on identifying the major difficulties encountered by newly certified radiographers in Benin City, as well as assessing their readiness for clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges encountered by newly certified radiographers and to assess their level of professional preparedness for independent clinical practice. Methodology: A prospective survey design was used. Data were collected from 51 newly certified radiographers working in public and private healthcare facilities in Benin City using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of the challenges identified. Results: Findings showed that most respondents experienced significant challenges during this early professional practice. The most reported issues included heavy workload (78.4%), stress and burnout (76.5%), and difficulty communicating with senior colleagues (66.7%). Although a majority (76.5%) demonstrated adequate knowledge of radiation protection, many felt less confident handling complex or emergency cases independently. The Chi-square test result (X2=201.73, p < 0.05), confirmed that these challenges were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concluded that newly certified radiographers possess good theoretical and safety knowledge but face major challenges adapting to clinical realities. It recommends the implementation of structured mentorship, improved hands on clinical exposure, and continuous professional development programs to ease their transition into independent practice. Keywords: Newly certified radiographers, professional preparedness, workload, mentorship, clinical challenges.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are a cornerstone of safe healthcare delivery, aimed at minimizing the risks of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among patients, radiographers and the broader community. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and comprehension of infection prevention and control methods among radiographers at UBTH. The study utilized a cross sectional descriptive design with a sample size of 31 radiographers. The results showed that knowledge levels were high, with 96.8% correctly defining IPC, 100% identifying its aim as infection prevention, and 100% recognizing PPE components. While 71.0% always used PPE and 61.3% always followed hand hygiene, only 51.6% sometimes cleaned equipment after use, sometimes received updates, and sometimes reported breaches. This indicated moderate-to-high compliance with notable gaps. The greatest challenge was inadequate training and resources, cited by 61.3% of respondents. Additionally, 51.6% always felt at risk of infection during procedures, while limited access to PPE and weak management support were also identified. The chi-square test showed χ² = 0.11, df = 2, p = 0.95. Since p > 0.05, the null hypothesis was accepted, indicating no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance of IPC among radiographers at UBTH. In conclusion the study revealed that radiographers at UBTH possess high knowledge of IPC principles, particularly regarding hand hygiene, PPE use, and sharps disposal. However, compliance was inconsistent, especially in
areas requiring institutional reinforcement, such as equipment cleaning, reporting breaches, and receiving regular protocol updates. The major barriers identified were lack of training
opportunities.

Background: Chest X-ray (CXR) is the most widely requested imaging investigation for the immediate evaluation of patients involved in road traffic accidents (RTAs). A single posteroanterior (PA) chest radiograph can rapidly identify fractures of the rib cage as well as pulmonary and pleural pathologies such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pulmonary contusion, which are critical for early clinical decision-making. Objective: To identify common fractures and other pathologies on chest radiographs of road traffic accident patients in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected by reviewing chest radiographs and radiological reports of 184 patients involved in road traffic accidents between January 2022 and December 2024. The distribution of chest wall fractures, fracture patterns, and associated thoracic pathologies was analyzed. Results: Middle rib fractures (4th–8th ribs) were the most common, accounting for 73.5% of cases, followed by upper rib fractures (29.7%) and lower rib fractures (29.2%). Sternal fractures were identified in 10.8% of patients, clavicular fractures in 13.5%, and scapular fractures in
6.5%. Non-displaced fractures were the predominant fracture type, while displaced, comminuted, and segmental fractures were also observed. Associated thoracic pathologies included pneumothorax (22.7%), hemothorax (18.9%), and pulmonary contusion (15.1%), with their incidence increasing significantly in patients with multiple or complex fracture patterns. Conclusion: Rib fractures were the most frequently identified pathology on chest radiographs of RTA patients, followed in descending order by pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion, clavicular fractures, sternal fractures, and scapular fractures. The distribution and complexity of xi fractures on chest X-ray were strong indicators of associated thoracic complications, reinforcing the value of conventional chest radiography in trauma evaluation at UBTH.

The increasing reliance on diagnostic radiography in modern medicine has made patient safety a critical component of healthcare delivery. Among the essential radiation protection measures
employed during X-ray procedures are lead aprons and gonad shields, which serve to limit exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly to radiosensitive organs. The study aimed to assess the use of lead aprons and gonad shields during routine X-ray examinations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Raytouch diagnostics with emphasis on frequency, knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was adopted, census sampling technique was used to select a total of 37 radiographers participated, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that most radiographers demonstrated good knowledge of radiation protection principles and recognised the importance of shielding in reducing unnecessary exposure. The frequency of lead apron use
was high, particularly for paediatric and routine examinations, while gonad shield use was moderate due to issues such as limited availability, perceived interference with image quality, and time constraints. Despite these challenges, radiographers generally acknowledged the ethical responsibility of maintaining radiation safety and prioritised shielding where feasible. Institutional support through policies, training, and equipment availability was identified as a strong motivating factor for compliance. The test of hypothesis confirmed a significant association between radiographers’ knowledge and their use of radiation protection tools, implying that the more informed a radiographer is, the more consistent their protective practice becomes.