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Download now: SPI lecture notes

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 Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) is a foundational course designed to equip learners with an in-depth understanding of the principles of ultrasound physics and its application in diagnostic medical imaging. The course focuses on the science behind ultrasound, the operation of ultrasound equipment, and the interpretation of image artifacts. It is an essential component for anyone pursuing a career in diagnostic medical sonography or related medical fields. Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will: 1. Understand the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics, including wave propagation, sound interaction with tissues, and Doppler effect. 2. Identify and analyze various types of transducers and their applications in diagnostic imaging. 3. Operate ultrasound equipment with a clear understanding of system components and settings. 4. Recognize image artifacts and implement corrective techniques. 5. Apply safety principles in ultrasound imaging to...

Challenges of Contemporary Fertility Among Africans and Solutions Through Advanced ART Technologies

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 In recent years, Africa has experienced significant socio-economic and cultural transformations, reshaping the continent's healthcare landscape. Despite these strides, infertility remains a pressing issue, often surrounded by stigma, cultural sensitivities, and inadequate access to advanced treatment options. Below, we explore the key challenges Africans face regarding fertility and outline how modern Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) can help address them. Challenges in Fertility Among Africans 1. Socio-Cultural Stigma and Myths Infertility in many African societies is not just a medical issue; it’s often perceived as a personal failure. Women, in particular, bear the brunt of this stigma , facing societal pressures and even ostracization. Cultural beliefs that infertility is primarily a woman’s issue overshadow the scientific reality that male factors contribute to nearly half of all infertility cases. 2. Late Marriages and Delayed Childbearing As urbanization and ed...

Future Medical Advancement

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There are several areas of pathology that are expected to see advancements in the near future, including: Personalized medicine: Using genetic and other biomarkers to tailor treatment options to individual patients. Biomarker discovery: Development of new biomarkers to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Microbiome research: Understanding the role of the microbiome in health and disease. Immunotherapy: Using the immune system to fight cancer and other diseases. Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Use of these technologies to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and drug development. Precision medicine: Using genomic and other data to develop targeted therapies and improve patient outcomes. Click here to chat with us on WhatsApp! Telemedicine: Using technology to provide remote medical care and expand access to healthcare in remote or underserved areas Regenerative medicine:...

Intraventricular fetu in fetu

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 Intraventricular fetu in fetu is a very rare condition where a small, malformed fetus is found inside the body of another fetus. It is a type of teratoma, which is a tumor that contains tissue from different types of organs and tissues. Intraventricular fetu in fetu occurs when a developing fetus incorporates a twin or a sibling into its own body during early stages of embryonic development. The incorporated tissue then develops into a miniature version of a fetus with different organs and tissues, but lacking the ability to survive independently. The condition is usually diagnosed during prenatal ultrasound or after birth when imaging tests are performed to investigate unusual growths or masses in the body. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the mass, which can be challenging due to its location in the ventricle of the heart. Overall, intraventricular fetu in fetu is an extremely rare condition with only a handful of cases reported in medical literature. It i...

Pentalogy of Cantrell

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 The Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare congenital disorder that affects the development of the chest and abdominal wall. It is characterized by a combination of five distinct abnormalities, including a midline defect of the diaphragm, a defect in the lower sternum, a deficiency of the anterior diaphragm, a defect in the pericardium, and a defect in the abdominal wall. These abnormalities can vary in severity, and affected individuals may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and complications. The exact cause of the Pentalogy of Cantrell is not known, but it is believed to be the result of a genetic mutation that occurs during fetal development. The disorder is estimated to affect fewer than one in every 100,000 live births , and it is more common in males than in females. The most obvious physical manifestation of the Pentalogy of Cantrell is a visible opening in the chest and/or abdominal wall. This opening may be small or large and can be located anywhere along the midlin...

Intrahepatic Missed Ectopic Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

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Ectopic pregnancy is a serious medical condition that occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy can occur in the liver, a condition known as intrahepatic ectopic pregnancy (IHEP) . IHEP is an extremely rare form of ectopic pregnancy, with only a few dozen cases reported in medical literature. However, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. What is Intrahepatic Missed Ectopic Pregnancy? Intrahepatic missed ectopic pregnancy (IMEP) is a specific type of IHEP that occurs when a woman has a fertilized egg implant in the liver and the pregnancy is not detected until it is well advanced. In most cases, IMEP is asymptomatic, meaning that the woman may not experience any symptoms until the pregnancy has reached a late stage. What Causes Intrahepatic Missed Ectopic Pregnancy? The exact cause of IMEP is unknown. However, some experts believe that it may be related to a history of l...

Why Toddlers don't write until age 6

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  Gavin McComack in his study explained, "so many parents are often worried about why their  children don't write even at age 4". And we have seen parents accusing school teachers of not doing a good job because their kids still can't write eligibly thereby transferring these children from school to school, what they don't know is that consistency is better than pursuing a particular developmental milestone. The picture explains why. You may think your toddler is relatively dependent and that the things they do around the house don’t matter, but you’d be wrong. Simple actions parents take at home can have a long lasting impact on the way your child enters and is in their first years of school. Up until 6years old, children hands are still in tue developing stageand not fully formed.  Children requires a progressive in their hands before grasping, holding of things and developing their writing skills. Children muscles needs to be trained, strengthened workout...

GENERAL ULTRASOUND PREPARATION

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Most ultrasound procedures do not require advance preparation. The exceptions are listed below: For any study, if your doctor gave you an order, please bring it with you. ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND and ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND WITH DOPPLER (Liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, abdominal aorta, biliary system) (Exam time: 30 min; visit time about 1-1/2 hours) Adults: Do not eat or drink eight hours before exam. Children: Do not eat or drink four hours before study or skip one meal. Take medications with a small sip of water. If you are diabetic, please take your insulin. PELVIC ULTRASOUND (Uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, urinary bladder) (Exam time: 30 min; visit time about 1-1/2 hours) Our protocol is to include transvaginal ultrasound for females. Eat normally. One hour before your exam, drink about 1litre of water. Do not empty your bladder before your exam. BLADDER ULTRASOUND For both male and female patients, one hour before your exam, drink about 1litre of water. PROSTATE-TR...

Plastic particles found in placenta

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Access this resource now! Click here to view or download the document on Google Drive. Researchers at San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome reported finding microplastic particles in the placenta of four women who had normal pregnancies and births. The babies were delivered using a plastic-free protocol to prevent contamination. The particles were found on both sides of the placenta and in the chorioamniotic membranes , most of them 10 microns in size, which means they are small enough to enter and travel through the bloodstream. The microplastics may have emanated from packaging, paints, or cosmetics that were either used, consumed , or inhaled by the mothers. Globally, more than 300 million tons of plastics are produced each year. While only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, the majority ends up in landfills and waterways, polluting the environment.  Previous studies have found mi...

Fetus-in-fetu: baby born pregnant with her own twin

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A baby girl named Itzmara was born through a cesarean delivery, and 24 hours later, doctors performed a C-section on her too , because she had absorbed her twin in the womb, Mamás Latinas reported in March . When the mother, Mónica Vega of Barranquilla, Colombia, had an ultrasound at seven months pregnant, doctors discovered she had two umbilical cords inside her. One connected baby Itzmara to Vega, but the other connected Itzmara to a mass that was her parasitic twin. Ultrasound image of a term pregnancy When doctors noticed this, they diagnosed Itzmara with "fetus in fetu," a rare condition where a malformed fetus is found in the body of its twin. The doctors said they needed to deliver Itzmara right away through a C-section so they could then operate on the baby. They were worried that if they didn't remove the parasitic twin inside Itzmara, the mass could grow and injure the baby's organs. So after delivering Itzmara via C-section, the doctors p...