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Abstract Background Ultrasonography is a noninvasive modality for the initial assessment of thyroid nodules. The American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) has demonstrated good performance in differentiating malignant thyroid nodules. However, the combination of ACR TI-RADS categories and cytology has not been studied extensively, in Uganda. The study aims to correlate ACR TI-RADS with cytology among patients referred for US-guided fine-needle aspiration at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study that recruited 132 patients with thyroid nodules. Spearman’s correlation was used to establish a relationship between TI-RADS and cytology findings. The diagnostic accuracy of TI-RADS was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results Of 132 study participants, 90% (n = 117) were females, and the mean age was 41 ± 13 years. One hundred sixty-one thyroid nodules were analyzed. More than half of the thyroid nodules (54.7%, n = 87) were solid or almost solid, 96.9% (n = 154) were shaped wider than tall, 57.2% (n = 91) had smooth margins, 83.7% (n = 133) were hyperechoic or isoechoic, and 88.7% (n = 141) had no echogenic foci. TI-RADS 3 was the most common at 42.9% (n = 69). The proportions of malignancy for TI-RADS 4 and TI-RADS 5 were 73.3% and 85.7%, respectively. The correlation between ACR TI-RADS and the Bethesda system of thyroid classification scores was r = 0.577. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of ACR TI-RADS were 90.9%, 98.5%, 90%, 99.3%, 62.3, and 0.1, respectively. Conclusion We found that ACR TI-RADS classification is an appropriate and noninvasive method for assessing thyroid nodules in routine practice. It can safely reduce the number of unnecessary fine-needle aspiration in a significant proportion of benign thyroid lesions. Thyroid nodules classified as TI-RADS 3 should be followed routinely. ACR TI-RADS should be standardized as the screening tool in resource-limited areas.

Subclavian artery aneurysms are infrequently observed in clinical settings, and are divided into intrathoracic and extra-thoracic segments. Atherosclerosis, cystic necrosis of the tunica media, trauma, or infections are more common. Blunt trauma or piercing is more frequently the cause of pseudoaneurysms, and broken bones following surgery should be evaluated.A 78-year-old woman attended the vascular clinic with a closed mid-clavicular fracture due to plant trauma before 2 months. Physical examination revealed a well-healed wound and no palpable pain, but a massive pulsating mass with normal overlying skin in the superior side of the clavicle. Thoracic CT angiography and a neck ultrasound revealed a distal right subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm of 50 × 49 mm. Arterial injuries were repaired by a ligature and bypass.The recovery from surgery was successful, and a 6-month follow-up examination revealed a right upper limb that was symptom-free and well-perfused.

The main limitation of Integrated Collector Storage systems lies in their low efficiencies and high loss coefficients. In this paper, experimental and numerical setups are conducted to assess the thermal performances of low cost Cylindrical Parabolic Integrated Collector storage (CP-ICS). The conceived system has two aluminum plates in parabolic form serving as reflectors, each with a surface area of 2 m2. The storage tank has a volume of 160 L covered with a layer of black paint with single and double transparent insulations. Results of the experimental tests using Input-Output method showed that the daily thermal efficiency η d of the developed systems is equal to 48.21% and 49.46% for single and double insulation cover configurations, respectively. The total store heat capacity C s, the useful collector surface A c* and the storage tank heat losses coefficient U s of the system found using Dynamic System Testing procedure are equal to 0.56 MJ/K, 0.74 m2 and 1.59 W/K, respectively. Even if the energy efficiency of the system is slightly lower than that recorded in conventional systems, numerical results of long-term study using TRNSYS software showed that the system provides a reasonable solar fraction for the needs of a family in Tunisian climate. A comparative assessment of the developed solar collector performances in different representative climates showed that the use of the CP-ICS system presents a promising solution for countries with annual ambient temperatures fluctuating from 13°C to 33°C, such as Araxos with a solar coverage of 30.65% for a daily supply volume of 160 L. More importantly, in Faya-Largeau location, presenting Chadian climate data, the solar fraction is found to be the highest and reached an average of 67.25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is a benign and self‐limiting heterotopic ossification in the subcutaneous fat, tendons, muscles, and nerves. It is commonly due to trauma and is frequently encountered in the arm, shoulder, thigh, and hand which are prone to trauma. Non‐traumatic MOC arising from the abdominal muscles is extremely rare. We report a case of 7‐year‐old male child with a three‐year history of progressive painless abdominal swelling in the left hypochondria region with no history of associated trauma. CT scan of the abdomen showed a well‐defined hyperdense mass in the left external oblique muscle. Histological diagnosis confirmed myositis ossificans of the external oblique muscle. The mass was removed surgically with no immediate or late complications.