Background: A lot of activities have been found to contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among different professionals such as lifting of heavy objects, prolonged sitting or standing, long schedule of duties equipment manipulation and others. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and severity as well as risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among practicing radiographers and sonographers in the southern part of Nigeria. Methods: This study involved distribution of questionnaire to radiographers and sonographers within the southern part of Nigeria. A total of 48 radiographers and 45 sonographers were involved in this study. Information collected from the participants included categories of work performed, schedule/ duration of duty, types of equipment used, work organizational factors, prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms to mention a few. Results: Out of the 48 Radiographers and 45 sonographers that participated in the study, 76.3% complained of at least one episode of symptom. Low back pain was the most frequent complaint (52.6%), followed by neck pain, shoulder pain and hand/wrist pain. Reports showed that some of the respondents were prevented from performing their duties as a result of the symptoms experienced. The major risk factors were prolonged standing/sitting during prolonged duration of duty, lifting of patients and heavy equipment, overstretching of the neck following heavy work schedules.  Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiographers and sonographers in Southern Nigeria. Work schedule/duration of duty and lifting of heavy loads are important factors to be controlled in order to reduce the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiographers and sonographers in Southern Nigeria.

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Abnormal dilatation of ventricles has been shown to be the most common abnormality of the brain & fetus in most of the geographical zones, but the normal dimension of the fetal lateral ventricle in south-south geopolitical zones of Nigeria has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the normal feto-lateral ventricular diameter using ultrasound at different gestational ages. Measurement of the fetal-lateral ventricular diameter was obtained from 685 fetuses of pregnant mothers that met the inclusion criteria during routine ultrasound scan in Calabar metropolis. Measurement of the ventricular diameter was taken at the level of the atria, measured according to Australian society for ultrasound in medicine guidelines. Udoh et al.; JAMMR, 30(1): 1-5, 2019; Article no.JAMMR.34770 2 Original Research ArticleThe result shows that the mean lateral ventricular diameter of fetuses in the studied region is 6.62 ± 2.51 mm with a range of 4.12-9.54 mm. The lateral ventricular diameter and the fetal head circumferences, as well as the gestational age, do not show any significant correlation throughout gestation. Conclusion: Fetuses in Calabar Metropolis have a lateral ventricular diameter that ranges from 4.12 -9.54 mm. Ventricular diameter above this normal range in this region and could be considered as an abnormal and may demand further investigations.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Hadlock 3 model of foetal weight estimation among fetuses in a Nigerian population. Methods: 2008 mothers with singleton term pregnancy admitted in the labour ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital for planned delivery were recruited for the study. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were scanned within 24 hours prior to delivery. A greyscale high resolution ultrasound machine, Sonoace 5500, manufactured by Medicol in Korea, with a 3.5 MHz transducer was used to obtain the sonographic measurements. The birth weights of the fetuses were estimated using Hadlock3 model for foetal weight estimation. The actual weights of the neonates were measured immediately after birth by an experienced midwife. Intra-class correlation coefficient was used to compare the ultrasound estimated fetal weight with the actual fetal birth weight.Results: The mean actual birth weight of the neonates was 3.42 ± 0.36 kg while the meanestimate obtained from Hadlock3 model was 3.44 ± 0.45kg. There was no statistically significant difference between the estimated mean weight and the actual weight of the neonates at the reference birth weight (P < 0.05). The accuracy of this model was highest at the weight range of 3.00 to 3.99 kg, with inter-class co-efficient of 0.88 and accuracy of 86 % within ± 10 % of actual birth weight.Conclusion: Hadlock3 model has a high intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88 at birth weight of 3.00 to 3.49 kg and predicts the birth weight in 86% of cases within ± 10% of actual birth weight.