Abstract Parasitic meningoencephalitis presents several etiologies which sometimes depend on their geographical location. They require thorough blood and ce rebrospinal fluid check-up for directing an efficient treatment. Clinicians and radiologists are constantly looking for specific signs that could point to a par ticular etiology. The meningoencephalitis caused by Human African Trypa nosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TG) is a rare dis ease characterized by a slow progression, over years sometimes. Its non-spe cific presentation either clinically or in imaging can lead to misdiagnosis and thus, delay the treatment. However, involvement of the optic tracts seems to be characteristic of this condition, on old data from animal experimentation and recent high-field MRI data. MRI is the best current technique to explore the brain, cranial nerves, and visual pathways. In this article, we are going to present two observations of meningoencephalitis caused by HAT and then discuss some specific aspects of this neglected and re-merging disease.

Abstract Background: Despite the availability of guidelines, the requests for medical imaging examinations for the exploration of low back pain remain irrelevant in the majority of cases. Objective: To assess the impact of requester training on the justification of lumbar spine X-rays for low back pain in adults in Yaounde. Materials and Methods: We carried out an interventional study from December 2017 to April 2018 in Yaounde (Cameroon). We analyzed the relevance of the prescription of X-rays for low back pain before and after an interactive training of the requesters. Results: Among the 16 requesters who were trained, the proportion of irrelevant requests dropped from 58.22% (46/79) before training to 44.44% (20/45) after training, representing a decrease of 13.78% (p = 0.012). The highest drop in the proportion of irrelevant requests was found among general practitioners (−21.98%) and requesters having less than 10 years of experience in medical practice (−31.8%). Conclusion: The training of requesters moderately reduces the rate of irrelevant examinations. Other factors of irrelevant prescription must be investigated and corrected for this decrease to be more significant.

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of medical imaging in the management of ballistic trauma in the experience of the Burkina Faso Army Health Service. Methods: This was a retrospective, prospective, cross-sectional study of 54 cases of ballistic trauma that occurred in Burkinabe military personnel on Burkinabe territory between January 2016 and October 2019 and were managed by the Burkina Faso Army Health Service. Results: The mean age of the ballistic trauma victims was 28.9 years. The patients were all male. Multiple injuries were present in 19% of cases. The limbs were predominantly affected, followed by the trunk. Medical imaging was used both for the initial assessment and for the search for complications and follow-up after treatment. Standard radiography was the most commonly used modality followed by CT scan, particularly for the search for visceral lesions or for a more precise bone assessment. Ultrasound (E. FAST) was sometimes used. Magnetic resonance imaging was rarely used because of the ferromagnetic projectiles often present in ballistic trauma patients. Conclusion: Medical imaging has an important place in the management of military ballistic trauma.

Abstract Objective: A comparison of the difference between the two types of field MR scan in diagnosis of shoulder joint injury. Method: Randomly selected 153 patients with arthroscopic or open arthroplasty who had shoulder pain or dys function treated in our hospital from 2014 to 2017 were divided into 1.5 Tgroup and 3.0 according to the field strength of MRI examination. Postoperative pathology was a gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, consistency, and predictive value of two field-strength MRI examinations in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears were calculated and compared. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, crude consistency, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the 1.5 T group were 68.75%, 82.35%, 73.47%, 88.00%, and 58.33%, respectively. The 3.0 T group was 72.22%, 89.47%, 78.18%, 92.86% and 62.96%, the differences between the above indicators were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no difference in the authenticity and benefit index of rotator cuff injury diagnosed by 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI.