Assessment of Ultrasound-Guided Procedures and Complication Rates at National Hospital Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Ultrasound-guided procedures, including aspiration of fluid collections, biopsy of focal lesions, and venous access guidance, have become standard interventional practice in Nigerian tertiary centres, offering safer and more accurate tissue sampling and drainage than blind techniques. At National Hospital Abuja, North Central Nigeria, the spectrum and complication profile of ultrasound-guided procedures warrants systematic documentation for quality assurance purposes. This study assesses the range of ultrasound-guided procedures performed and evaluates associated complication rates at National Hospital Abuja. A retrospective descriptive design reviews 280 consecutive ultrasound-guided procedure records from 2021 to 2023. Data extracted include procedure type, anatomical target, operator designation, imaging guidance method, immediate complications (haemorrhage, pneumothorax, vasovagal episode), delayed complications requiring return visits, and procedural technical success rate. Descriptive statistics and frequency analysis are computed in SPSS. Available interventional ultrasound literature from North Central Nigerian tertiary hospitals identifies thyroid nodule biopsy, pleural aspiration, and abdominal abscess drainage as the three highest-volume ultrasound-guided procedure categories, with overall complication rates below five percent reported in comparable settings. The BIR Guidelines for Ultrasound-Guided Procedures and the RCR interventional radiology quality standards provide the normative analytical reference. Findings are expected to reveal a low overall complication rate consistent with literature benchmarks, with haemorrhage being the most commonly documented immediate complication. Recommendations address a prospective procedure outcome registry and structured radiographer assistance training for interventional ultrasound at National Hospital Abuja. Keywords: ultrasound-guided procedures, complications, interventional radiology, National Hospital Abuja, North Central Nigeria.