No abstract

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K) were investigated in gold ore mined from Birnin Gwari Artisanal Goldmine in Kaduna state Nigeria using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. Twelve samples were collected from pits at different depths and the locations of pits were marked out using Global Positioning System (GPS). The measured activity concentration due to 238 U range from 6.18±3.7 to 66.69±4.9 Bq/Kg with mean value 37.36±5.45, Bq/Kg 232 Th range from 16.65±0.8 to 87.29±1.2 Bq/Kg with mean value of 62.69±6.33 and 40 K range from 85.13±4.5 to 1564.69±57.9Bq/Kg with a mean value of 997.52±11 9.97 Bq/Kg. The value compared well with published data from other countries and all values from this study are higher than the world average values and other countries with the exception of 232 Th concentration from India and Malaysia that are slightly higher than the mean value of 232 Th obtained in this study.

Background: Pharyngo-oesophageal foreign bodies (PFB) in children are frequent clinical entity requiring an urgent radiological and endoscopic surgical intervention to avert life threatened complications seen in otorhinolaryngology practice. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of pharyngooesophageal foreign bodies’ impaction, management challenges and the need for health education to care givers. Method: A retrospective review of all cases of paediatric patients with suspected or confirmed history of PFB from January 2007 to December 2011. The information retrieved included the biodata, types of foreign body, clinical and radiological findings, treatment and outcome.Results were analysed by simple statistical table. Results: Sixty seven patients diagnosed with Pharyngo-oesophageal Foreign Body, forty three (64%) were males while 24(36%) were females with M: F ratio = 1.8:1 and Mean age of 4.9 years (age range 6months to 13years.).Coins 36(54%) were the commonest PFB. Only 13(19%) presented to hospital within 24hours of ingestion. Common presenting symptom were Vomiting 70%, and dysphagia in 73%. Fifty four (81%) had positive history of FB ingestion and 13(19%) of the patient PFB were detected radiologically. Sixty three (94%) had rigid oesophagoscopy and removal under general anaesthesia while 4(6%) fish bone FB in the tonsils were extracted in the out-patient clinic after xylocaine spray. Post operative complications were noticed in 13(19%). Conclusion: Coin is the commonest pharyngoesophageal foreign body in children. Only 19% of these patient presented to hospital within 24hours therefore public health education to parents and care givers is recommended.