A dissertation submitted in full compliance with the requirements for the M.Tech: Radiography,Durban University of Technology, 2006. / The aim of this research was to determine normal bone mineral density (BMD) reference ranges (means and standard deviations) for the lumbar spine, total hip and distal forearm, for Indian women of varying age groups in KwaZulu-Natal. The aim also included a comparison of the study population reference ranges with those provided by the manufacturer in order to evaluate any diagnostic implications. / M

A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2006. / The study will determine the sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels in the x-ray department and evaluate it’s effects on the health of the radiology workers. The aim of the study is to mainly create awareness of occupational hazards posed by processing chemistry to radiology workers. / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: Radiography)-Dept. of Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2006 xi, 86 leaves, Annexures A-Q / The study will determine the sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels in the x-ray department and evaluate it’s effects on the health of the radiology workers. The aim of the study is to mainly create awareness of occupational hazards posed by processing chemistry to radiology workers.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1964 Q4 / Master of Science

Published Article / Members of society are fast becoming aware of their rights and many practitioners are at risk of losing their licence to practise due to unethical practices. The growing human rights violations commonly seen in vulnerable groups also pose challenges to healthcare workers, such as diagnostic radiographers, who often find themselves in situations where they have to disobey the laws to uphold ethical standards. This paper is a presentation of how ethics, human rights and medical law has been integrated into the undergraduate diagnostic radiography curriculum, and can be applied to other healthcare professions. To alleviate resistance to human rights teachings, I recommend the use of real life examples that are less sensitive 'politically' but true in order to gain the attention and cooperation of the diverse culture of the students.

Published Article / This article describes a process of student learning outcomes assessment for a health sciences programme in radiography at a university in South Africa. Its purpose is to demonstrate that while the process of student learning outcomes assessment is universal, it can be used both nationally and internationally. As long as underlying premises are met, assessment needs to be considered within the context of a country's unique culture, society and history. Underlying premises include understanding the institution's mission and vision, determining that the programme's mission and vision are congruent with those of the institution, and involving faculty early in the assessment process.

Background Studies which have investigated the interpretation of plain skeletal examinations by radiographers have demonstrated encouraging findings, however, the studies have not extended beyond this area of practice and radiographers' diagnostic performance for other more complex investigations has not been established. Comparisons of performance between groups of healthcare practitioners to date, has also been limited. Aim This research programme aimed to investigate the interpretation of clinical imaging examinations by radiographers, and other healthcare practitioners, in the provision of initial interpretations and/or definitive reports of plain imaging ( skeletal and chest) and crosssectional ( magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] – lumbar/thoracic spine, knees and internal auditory meati [IAM]) investigations. Methods The eight studies utilised a variety of methodological approaches and included quasiexperimental and observational studies. One quasi-experimental study compared the performance of radiographers, nurses and junior doctors in initial image interpretation and another similar study included a training intervention; both utilised alternate free-response receiver operating characteristic curve (AFROC) methodology. Three of the observational studies investigated the ability of radiographers to provide definitive reports on a wide range of clinical examinations, including chest and MRI investigations, in a controlled environment. One large multi-centre observational study investigated the performance of radiographers, in clinical practice (A/E: skeletal examinations) during the implementation of a radiographic reporting service. The agreement between consultant radiologists' MRI reports of lumbar/thoracic spine, knee and IAM examinations was investigated in another observational study. The final study compared the reports of trained radiographers and consultant radiologists, with those of an index radiologist, when reporting on MRI examinations of the knee and lumbar spine, as part of a prospective pre-implementation agreement study. Results The first AFROC study demonstrated statistically significant improvements after training, for radiographers (A1=0.55 - 0.72) and nurses (A1=0.65 - 0.63), although the radiographers maintained a better overall performance post training (p=0.004) in providing an initial image interpretation of trauma radiographs of the appendicular skeleton. Radiographers also achieved statistically higher (p<0.01) AUC values (A1=0.75) than nurses (A1=0.58) and junior doctors (A1=0.54) in the second AFROC study. Three studies, which examined 11155 reports, were conducted under controlled conditions in an academic setting and provided evidence of radiographers’ high levels of accuracy in reporting of skeletal A/E (93.9%); skeletal non A/E (92.5%); chest (89.0%); MRI lumbar/thoracic spine (87.2%), knees (86.3%) and IAM (98.4%) examinations. In the multi-centre clinical study, the mean accuracy, sensitivity and specificity rates of the radiographers reports (n=7179) of plain examinations of the skeletal system in the trauma setting was found to be 99%, 98% and 99%, respectively. The considerable range of values for agreement, between consultant radiologists reports of MRI examinations of the thoracic/lumbar spine (k=0 – 0.8), knee (k=0.3 – 0.8) and IAM (k=1.0) was similar to other studies and resulted in a reasonable estimation of the performance, in the UK, of an average non specialist consultant radiologist in MRI reporting. In the final study, radiographers reported in clinical practice conditions, on a prospective random sample of knee and lumbar spine MRI examinations, to a level of agreement comparable with non-musculoskeletal consultant radiologists (Mean difference in observer agreement <1%, p=0.86). Less than 10% of observers' reports (radiographers and consultant radiologists) were found to be sufficiently discordant to be clinically important. Conclusion The outcomes of this research programme demonstrate that radiographers can provide initial interpretations of radiographic examinations of the appendicular skeleton, in the trauma setting, to a higher level of accuracy than A/E practitioners. The findings also provide evidence that selected radiographers with appropriate education and training can provide definitive reports on plain clinical examinations (A/E and non A/E referral sources) of the skeletal system and the chest; and MRI examinations of the knee, lumbar/thoracic spine and IAM to a level of performance comparable to the average non specialist consultant radiologist. Wider implementation of radiographer reporting is therefore indicated and future multi-centre research, including economic evaluations, to further inform practice at a national level, is recommended.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background The association between the radiographic and clinical findings of shoulder pain is unclear and it is not fully understood how plain film radiographs of the shoulder influence the suspected clinical diagnosis and conservative management of shoulder pain at the Chiropractic Day Clinic (CDC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Previous research at the CDC reported that plain film radiographs did not significantly influence the suspected clinical diagnosis and conservation management of the lumbar spine and knee conditions. This study was conducted in order to determine if a similar trend was observed for plain film radiographs of the shoulder and the suspected clinical diagnosis and conservative management of shoulder pain. Objectives Objective 1: To determine the association between the suspected clinical diagnosis and radiographic diagnosis of shoulder pain. Objective 2: To describe the type of incidental radiographic findings in the selected plain film radiographs of the shoulder. Objective 3: To determine the proportion of change in the suspected clinical diagnosis and the conservative management of shoulder after obtaining the radiographic report. Method The archives of the CDC at the Durban University of Technology were searched for plain film radiographs of the shoulder and corresponding patients’ records from 4 April 1992 to 19 September 2011. These were collected, examined and evaluated, and the relevant data was extracted. Statistical analysis included the use of percentages, mean, standard deviation, range and frequency counts for the descriptive objectives. The suspected clinical diagnoses were categorized into groups (trauma, mechanical conditions, muscular or tendon dysfunction, capsular syndromes, neurological conditions, arthritides and other). These were then constructed using two-by-two tables for the absence or presence of radiographic diagnoses versus the suspected clinical diagnosis. The McNemars chi square test was used to determine any association between the radiographic and suspected clinical diagnosis. Results The mean age of the patients whose clinical and plain film radiographic records were examined was 43.5 years, with 53.7% male and 46.3% female patients. It was not possible to find an association between the suspected clinical and radiographic diagnoses as the categories were too different for statistical testing to be done. Thirty one (57.4%) plain film radiographs were requested at the first consultation. In 53.7% (29/54 radiographs) of cases, no specific suspected clinical diagnosis was given and “suspected pathology” was the reason given for referral. Of the 54 patients, 21 had a change in the suspected clinical diagnosis; however, in many of these cases (13/21) it was not a direct result of the radiographic findings. A wide range of treatments were used both before and after plain film radiographs, including soft tissue therapy, manipulation and electrotherapy. There was no significant change in the frequency of use of any of the modalities post-radiographs. Conclusion The reasons provided for ordering plain film radiographs were sometimes vague or even invalid. Although there was a change in 21 of the 54 suspected clinical diagnoses it was not conclusively as a result of the radiographic findings. The management of shoulder complaints did not change appreciatively following plain film radiographs. These findings suggest that the current use of plain film radiographs in the clinical and management context at the CDC needs to be reviewed. / M

Calcifications in carotid atheromas can be detected in a panoramic radiograph (PR) of the jaws. A carotid artery calcification (CAC) can indicate presence of significant (≥ 50%) carotid stenosis (SCS). The aim of this thesis was to (1) determine the prevalence of SCS and burden of atherosclerotic disease among patients revealing CACs in PRs, (2) determine the prevalence of CACs in PRs among patients with SCS, (3) analyze whether the amount of calcium and/or (4) the radiographic appearance of the CACs, can improve the positive predictive value (PPV) for SCS detection among patients with CACs in PRs. The thesis is based on four cross-sectional studies. Two patient groups were prospectively and consecutively studied. Group A represented a general adult patient population in dentistry examined with PR presenting incidental findings of CACs. These patients were examined with carotid ultrasound for presence or absence of SCS and their medical background regarding atherosclerotic related diseases and risk factors was reviewed. An age and gender matched reference group was included for comparisons. Group B comprised patients with ultrasound verified SCS, examined with PR prior to carotid endarterectomy. The PRs were analysed regarding presence of CACs. The extirpated plaques were collected and examined with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to determine the amount of calcium. The radiographic appearance of CACs in PRs from Group A and B were evaluated for possible association with presence of SCS. In Group A, 8/117 (7%) of patients with CAC in PRs revealed SCS in the ultrasound examination, all were found in men (8/64 (12%)). Patients with CACs in PRs revealed a higher burden of atherosclerotic disease compared to participants in the reference group (p &lt;0.001). In Group B, where all patients had SCS, 84% revealed CACs in PRs and 99% of the extirpated plaques revealed calcification. CACs with volumes varying between 1 and 509 mm3 were detected in the PRs. The variation in volume did not correlate to degree of carotid stenosis. The radiographic appearance that was most frequently seen in neck sides with SCS (65%) was also frequently found in neck sides without SCS (47%) and therefore the PPV did not improve compared to the PPV solely based on presence of CACs. CACs in PRs are more associated with SCS in men than in a general population and patients with CACs in PRs have a higher burden of atherosclerotic disease. The majority of patients with SCS show CACs in PRs and the majority of extirpated carotid plaques reveal calcification. The volume of CAC and specified radiographic appearance does not increase the PPV for SCS in patients with CACs in PRs. In conclusion patients with CACs in PRs, and without previous record of cardiovascular disease, should be advised to seek medical attention for screening of cardiovascular risk factors. / Bakgrund Inom ramen för specialist- och allmäntandvård utförs panoramaröntgen-undersökningar dagligen på såväl barn som vuxna. En panoramaröntgenbild (PB) är en översiktsbild som är specifikt anpassad till att återge området för tänder och käkar. Utöver det, avbildas även delar av halsen och som bifynd ibland förkalkningar belägna i området för halspulsådern (karotiskärlet). Dessa förkalkningar kallas för karotisförkalkningar och är ett tecken på åderförkalkning. Åderförkalkning består i huvudsak av en fettrik plackansamling i kärlväggen. Placket kan med tiden förkalkas till varierande grad. Det är dessa förkalkningar vi kan se i PB. När en åderförkalkning ökar i volym kan den utgöra en förträngning i kärlet. Då förträngningen av kärldiametern är ≥ 50% benämns åderförkalkningar belägna i karotiskärlet för ”signifikanta karotisstenoser” (SKS). Graden av förträngning bedöms som regel med ultraljudsundersökning av halskärlen. Bitar av SKS kan lossna varvid det bildas små blodproppar. Eftersom halspulsådern försörjer främre hjärnhalvan med blod så kan dessa bitar täppa till ett av hjärnans blodförsörjande kärl och leda till stroke (slaganfall). För att minska risken att drabbas av stroke kan man ibland operera bort SKS (karotisplacket). Syfte Syftet med denna avhandling var att ta reda på (1) hur många av de patienter som blir undersökta med PB inom tandvården som uppvisar karotisförkalkningar, hur stor andel som har SKS samt utreda om patienter med förkalkningar i PB i större utsträckning är drabbade av hjärtkärlsjukdomar/risk faktorer, (2) hur ofta utopererade karotisplack innehåller kalk och hur ofta patienter med känd SKS uppvisar karotisförkalkningar i PB, (3) huruvida förkalkningsmängden i utopererade karotisplack är korrelerad till förträngningsgrad, och (4) huruvida det finns något specifikt radiografiskt utseende på karotisförkalkningar i PB som kan användas för att identifiera en större andel patienter med SKS bland patienter som uppvisar karotisförkalkningar i PB, det vill säga minska risken för att skicka patienter utan SKS på ultraljudsundersökning. Material och metoder Materialet bestod av två huvudgrupper av patienter. Grupp A bestod av patienter undersökta inom tandvården med PB som uppvisat karotisförkalkningar. Alla dessa patienter undersöktes med ultraljud för att bedöma förekomst av SKS. Den medicinska journalen granskades avseende tidigare förekomst av åderförkalkningsrelaterade sjukdomar och risk faktorer. En köns- och åldersmatchad kontrollgrupp utan karotisförkalkningar i PB analyserades på motsvarande sätt för jämförelse. Grupp B bestod av patienter med känd SKS som före operativt avlägsnande av karotisplack undersöktes med PB. PB granskades avseende förekomst av karotisförkalkning och utopererade karotisplack avseende kalkinnehåll. Förkalkningsmängden i de utopererade karotisplacken korrelerades dels till möjlighet att identifiera karotisförkalkning i PB samt till förträngningsgraden i kärlen. Karotisförkalkningarnas utseende delades in i grupper för att utvärdera om vissa utseenden i större utsträckning kunde associeras till förekomst av SKS. Resultat I Grupp A uppvisade 8/117 (7%) patienter SKS, alla var män, 8/64 (12%). Patienter med karotisförkalkningar i PB hade oftare åderförkalkningsrelaterade sjukdomar och risk faktorer (p &lt; 0,001). I Grupp B hade 84% av patienterna med SKS karotisförkalkning i PB. Bland de utopererade karotisplacken innehöll 99% förkalkningar och förkalkningsvolymen varierade från 1-509 mm3. Möjligheten att upptäcka karotisförkalkning i PB var oberoende av om förkalkningsvolymen var stor eller liten. Förkalkningsvolymen var heller inte korrelerad till hur stor förträngning av kärlet en SKS (≥ 50%) orsakat. Ett radiografiskt utseende på karotisförkalkningar i PB noterades i 65% av de halssidor som hade en SKS. Detta specifika radiografiska utseende återfanns dock även i 47% av halssidor utan SKS. Andelen falskt positiva patienter var således fortsatt hög. Slutsats Vi fann att 12% män med karotisförkalkningar i PB, undersökta i en generell population inom tandvården, uppvisar SKS. Patienter med karotisförkalkningar i PB uppvisar fler riskfaktorer och är oftare drabbade av hjärt-kärlsjukdomar än patienter utan karotisförkalkningar i PB. Majoriteten av patienter med SKS uppvisar karotisförkalkningar i PB och nära 100% av utopererade karotisplack innehåller kalk. Förkalkningsmängden påverkar inte möjligheten att upptäcka karotisförkalkning i PB. Förkalkningsmängd och specificerade radiografiska utseenden hos karotisförkalkningar i PB förutsäger inte SKS bättre än definitionen ”förkalkning ja eller nej”. Dessa parametrar kan således inte användas till att förfina urvalet bland patienter som uppvisar karotisförkalkning i PB mot högre andel patienter med SKS. Individer med karotisförkalkningar i PB bör uppmanas konsultera vården för undersökning av eventuella risk faktorer för hjärt-kärlsjukdom.

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery