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Introduction: COVID-19 has spread rapidly since its emergence in China and is currently a global health issue. Its definitive diagnosis is made by PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. However, this diagnostic test has low sensitivity with delayed results. Hence, thoracic computed tomography represents an interesting alternative. The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of computed tomography (CT) lesions suggestive of COVID-19 and to compare the results of CT and PCR test., Methods: a prospective study carried out over15 working days and involved 47 patients. These patients were recruited based on the presence of at least 2 clinical signs of COVID-19. Chest CT without contrast according to the "LOW-DOSE" protocol was performed. A PCR test on nasopharyngeal swabs was done in patients with signs suggestive of COVID on CT. A serological test was performed in case of a discrepancy between the CT and PCR results., Results: thoracic CT was abnormal in 38 patients and normal in 9 patients. Lesions suggestive of COVID-19 have been identified in 32 patients. Two patients had lesions of non-specific pneumonia. Tuberculosis lesions were visualized in 3 patients. One patient had lesions of interstitial pneumonia. The mean DLP was 59 mGy.cm with extremes of 25 and 95 mGy.cm. Ground-glass opacity was present in 100% of COVID-19 suspects on CT. The results of the PCR test were the same than CT in 12 patients. The positive predictive value for CT was 37.5%. In 20 patients with COVID lesions on CT, the PCR test was negative with a false positive rate of 62.5%. In the patients with negative PCR test, 4 had a serological test for COVID-19 and this test was positive in 3., Conclusion: low-dose chest CT can reduce radiation exposure in COVID-19 patients who are at risk of cumulative dose due to repetitive exam. CT can identify lesions suggestive of COVID-19. It also enables the triage of patients by identifying other diagnoses., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d’intérêts., (Copyright: Ibrahima Niang et al.)

We report a case of a 86-year old woman with Spiegel hernia complicated by occlusion whose diagnosis was based on CT scan. She was examined in the Emergency Surgery Department for brutal onset of pain in the right iliac fossa associated with vomiting. On physical examination the patient was febrile (38.2° C). It showed hard, sensitive and mobile mass located in the right iliac fossa, with respect to both planes. Abdominal CT scan showed a hernia sac with the neck measuring 13 mm in the right iliac fossa, in front of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle. It contained fat and a small bowel loop (curved arrow) with two zones of transition giving a double beak-like appearance at the level of the neck. CT scan showed a lack of enhancement of the wall of the loop after administration of contrast material. The diagnosis of strangulated spiegel hernia associated with sign of arterial ischemia of the digestive wall was retained. Surgery was perfomed with simple postoperative management., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts.

We report the case of a 67-year old patient with a personal history of inguinal hernia, presenting with a large painless bag associated with urinary disorders, similar to pollakiuria, evolving for several months. Ultrasound allowed to reveal an emptiness in the bladder bag, urinary stasis and a collection of fluid in the scrotum, evoking a hydrocele. Abdominal/pelvic CT scan showed right intrascrotal bladder associated with left direct inguinal hernia and bilateral urinary stasis. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgical exploration. The postoperative course was uneventful. Inguinoscrotal hernia containing exclusively urinary bladder is an exceptional entity. CT scan should be recommended for patients with inguinoscrotal hernia associated with urinary disorders (Mery's Sign)., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts

Slow spinal cord compressions are due to the development of an expansive lesion within the medullary canal. This is a very common condition whose diagnosis is primarily clinical. The magnetic resonance imaging occupies a central and currently irreplaceable position in diagnosis and localization as well as in etiological research. Etiology of cancer is predominant in Europe. This study aims to describe the MRI features of slow spinal cord compressions and to determine its etiologic profile. This is a retrospective study of 97 cases whose data were collected at the Department of Radiology, National University Hospital Centre (CHUN) of Fann, over a period of 30 months (from March 8, 2010 to September 29 2012). All patients referred for slow spinal compression occurred in a non traumatic context were included in the study. The average age of patients was 42.6 years, ranging between 04 months and 85 years. We studied the topography of lesions (spinal floor, ductal compartments), their enhancement and their etiological criteria. The review protocol allowed the realization of T1-weighted sequences with no injection of gado, T2-weighted sequences, STIR sequences and T2-weighted DRIVE sequences centered on lesions levels or suspicious areas. MRI allowed to determine the exact location and the extent of lesions. The involvement of the thoracic spine occurred in 42% of cases, followed by the cervical spine in 32% of cases. The lumbosacral damages and multi-stage damages were found in 18% and 8% of cases respectively. Extradural lesions were found in 87% of cases, followed by intradural extramedullary lesions in 08% of cases and intramedullary lesions in 05% of cases. The peculiarity of etiologic profile of our study is the prevalence of infectious epiduritis and the relative frequency of metastatic epiduritis compared to the Western series. The vertebral-medullary MRI occupies a crucial place in the positive, topographic and etiological diagnosis of spinal cord compressions., Competing Interests: Conflits d’intérêts Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêt.

Biliary MRI is a relatively new diagnostic test in the arsenal of exploration techniques in biliopancreatic pathology. This is a reproducible and reliable non invasive technique for direct visualization of biliary and pancreatic ducts. This study aims to evaluate the morphological features of major abnormalities and the role of biliary MRI in the etiological diagnosis of cholestatic icteruses. This is a retrospective study of 17 patients conducted in the Imaging Unit of the University Hospital of Fann and of the Principal hospital of Dakar over a period of 4 years and six months (January 2008 at July 2012). All patients underwent MRI (1.5T) according to the standardized protocols for the explored pathology. Only medical records of patients whose diagnosis was established based on laboratory tests and who underwent biliary MRI and surgical exploration were retained. The study involved 5 women and 12 men with a sex ratio of 2.4. The average age of patients was 58 years, ranging between 35 and 81 years. Klatskin tumors were found in 7 patients with infiltrative form in 71% of cases and exophytic form was found in 28% of cases. Cancers of the gallbladder were found in 28% of cases. Cancers in the head of the pancreas accounted for 28% of cases. Major bile duct lithiasis was detected in 5 patients, choledocholithiasis in 60% of cases and a single lithiasis in 40% of cases. All these lesions were responsible for an expansion of intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD). One case of intra and extrahepatic bile ducts dilatation was found without biliopancreatic cause. Biliary MRI is the test of choice for the exploration of cholestatic icteruses. It should be recommended as first-line examination when residual lithiasis is suspected and as second-line examination after ultrasound, when the latter shows a suspected bile ducts tumoral obstruction. Its association with CT scan is the best combination of screening tests for etiologic diagnosis and pre-operative assessment of tumoral biliary obstructions., Competing Interests: Conflits d’intérêts Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêt.