https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51819 2026-04-14T20:14:22Z 2026-04-14T20:14:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/53611 2020-11-13T06:57:45Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Barium enema preparations. Abstract: Bowel preparation is an important prerequisite prior to performing a double contrast barium enema, its aim being the removal of faeces and any residual particles so that the large bowel is completely empty. This research project was designed to compare two different preparatory regimes, one of which is currently in use at St Luke's Hospital (Malta), with the aim of finding which preparatory regime is most effective. The research instrument were a set of evaluation criteria used for the evaluation of barium enema preparations. The researcher concluded that the preparations were equally effective and produced good results with regards to both faecal clearance and mucosal coating. On the basis of the findings, recommendations are proposed with the aim of improving the diagnostic quality of barium enemas. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52220 2020-11-06T10:42:13Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The relationship between symptoms and abnormal magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine. Abstract: The researcher, being a student radiographer observed that low back pain and lower extremity pain are common complaints amongst the Maltese population. The researcher also observed that many patients with low back problems were being referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation of their lumbar spine. However, in previous literature it has been reported that differences may exist between the patient symptoms and the observed MR images. This research study was designed to observe any relationship between clinical symptoms, age, gender and physical activity/occupation and MRI findings in patients attending for an MRI investigation of their lumbar spine. This was done at the MRI suite in the Imaging Department at St. James Hospital. As all the patients that presented in this study had an intervertebral disc herniation queried, results could only be drawn regarding this abnormality. From the results it was evident that there was overall agreement between clinical symptoms and MRI findings. However, MRI findings not reported in the clinical information were also observed. Therefore, MRI findings should be interpreted in light of the full clinical picture. No conclusive results could be drawn for the relationship between MRI findings and age, gender and physical activity/occupation because the population size used was far too small. However, it has been observed that patients between 30-39 years of age attended most frequently for an MRI of their lumbar spine. The majority of the attending patients were males and considered themselves having a high physical activity lifestyle. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52183 2023-07-03T09:41:41Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Female breast cancer : an investigation of the risk factors in Maltese women Abstract: Various research studies, performed worldwide, reveal a number of factors that may influence a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. A considerable number of these factors are recognized as contributing to increase breast cancer risk, whereas others are thought to reduce risk. A woman's knowledge of what influences her risk of developing this cancer allows her to take certain decisions, related mostly to her lifestyle, which may protect her from this disease. This research study was designed to investigate the risk factors in the Maltese women attending for a mammogram at the Radiology Department of St. Luke's Hospital. An interview sheet, formulated by the researcher herself, was the research tool utilized in this study. The results reveal that not all the clients fall under the category of risk factors identified by Health Vision 2000 (1995) as factors that increase the risk of a Maltese woman to develop breast cancer. The most common risk factors, identified in these women, were also revealed, "age above 50" being the principal one. Based on the findings of this study it is suggested that a more specific risk category of Maltese women be identified. Also, the public should be made more aware of the factors that put them at risk of developing breast cancer so that preventive measures can be applied. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51834 2020-11-05T07:44:34Z 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Information leaflets in nuclear medicine : are they necessary? Abstract: The current trend in health care is to provide the patients with information, be it written, verbal or both, to educate them thus reducing some of the unnecessary anxiety that the patients feel. Patients attending the Gamma Camera Unit at St. Luke's Hospital are often anxious about the scan that they are about to undergo. One of the reasons for their anxiety stems from not knowing what is going to happen to them. The aim of this study was to determine whether the patients attending the Gamma Camera Unit would like to receive information about their examination, in the form of an information leaflet. Following this, the researcher also proposed to draw up an information leaflet based on the suggestions of the patients. No published studies were found pertaining to whether patients attending for a nuclear medicine scan wanted to receive an information leaflet. As a result, a structured interview was drawn up specifically for this research. Twenty-two patients were interviewed using this tool. The findings obtained from the respondents were then discussed within the thesis. The results obtained from this research revealed that all the patients included in this study, do in fact want information in the form of a leaflet. The data collected shows that there is a positive correlation between the need felt by the participants for information and the way they would feel if provided with an information leaflet. It was concluded that the patients attending for a scan would feel calmer if provided with such an information leaflet. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z