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Biomedical subjects

W S Andrus

Publications and source records attributed to W S Andrus.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Cystoscopic fluorescence detector for photodetection of bladder carcinoma with hematoporphyrin derivative.

Hematoporphyrin derivative, a fluorogenic substance, tends to accumulate at higher levels in most tumor tissues after intravenous injection. These properties provide a potential application for the detection of malignant tumors. We report the development and in vitro evaluation of an instrument designed to excite and detect low levels of hematoporphyrin derivative fluorescence emitted by tumor cells in the bladder after hematoporphyrin derivative administration. The light source of the instrument for specific hematoporphyrin derivative excitation is at a wavelength of 405 nanometers. Optical fibers for both the excitation and detection of fluorescence were bundled in a single 7 French ureteral catheter which can be inserted into a standard cystoscope. The fluorescence is initially detected as an electrical signal which is amplified and then converted into an audio signal. The interference of the cystoscope illuminating white light to the fluorescence signal is eliminated by a phase-sensitive electronic circuit. The instrument thus allows simultaneous viewing of the bladder and detection of hematoporphyrin derivative fluorescence produced from tumor tissues. In vitro testings using hematoporphyrin derivative solutions on filter paper indicated that the instrument detects as little as 30 nanograms per milliliter of hematoporphyrin derivative and has relatively low noise levels from normal tissues. The utility of this instrument for hematoporphyrin derivative photodetection of small tumors and carcinoma in situ in bladder is currently under clinical evaluation.

Animals↗

Interpretation of roentgenograms via interactive television.

The diagnostic quality of roentgenographic images transmitted by interactive television was evaluated. A series of 100 kidney, ureter and bladder, chest, and bone radiographs were read individually by five radiologists, both on direct viewing and on viewing a monitor image of the television signal. The latter was transmitted by microwave a distance of 28 miles, including four transmission legs. Analysis in terms of receiver operating characteristic curves and critical tables indicated that the television interpretations were of acceptable accuracy, in view of the participants' inexperience with teleradiology.

Bone and Bones↗

Remote interpretation of chest roentgenograms.

A series of 98 chest films was interpreted by two physicians on the basis of monitor display of the transmitted television signal representing the roentgenographic image. The transmission path was 14 miles long, and included one active repeater station. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to compare interpretations rendered on television view of the image with classic, direct view interpretations of the same films. Performance in these two viewing modes was found to be quite similar. When films containing only hazy densities lacking internal structure or sharp margins, were removed from the sample, interpretation of the remaining films was essentially identical via the two modes. Since hazy densities are visible on retrospective examination, interpretation of roentgenograms at a distance via television appears to be a feasible route for delivery of radiologic services.

False Negative Reactions↗

Hearing and para-airport children.

Audiometric screening was carried out on 3,322 elementary and high school students living in the vicinity of Logan International Airport, Boston, in an effort to determine whether noise from aircraft had any measurable effect on their hearing. Followup examinations and additional data on children failing the screening examination made it possible to classify the hearing losses as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. The incidence of bilateral sensorineural or mixed hearing loss in the group living directly under flight paths or immediately adjacent to runways was not significantly different from the overall average. In normal subjects, the average sensorineural gap, a newly defined measure of high-tone loss, was not found to be significantly affected by the degree or duration of exposure to aircraft noise.

Adolescent↗

Tympanometric pattern classification in relation to middle ear effusions.

Tympanometric evaluation using an otoadmittance meter and X-Y plotter was performed on 129 ears of 70 children with history of recurrent acute otitis media, or evidence otoscopically of persistent middle ear effusion, or both. Myringotomy, performed immediately following the tympanometric procedure, confirmed the presence or absence of effusion. Following myringotomy, tympanometric patterns, as shown by susceptance and conductance tracings at 220 and 660 Hz, were identified and middle ear pressures and otoadmittance peak values were determined. These findings were compared and criteria were developed which best determined the presence or absence of effusion. The results revealed the following: 1) High negative middle ear pressure is not necessarily a reliable indicator of middle ear effusion. 2) Tympanometry can be used reliably as an indicator of effusion. A combination of pattern classification and susceptance criteria enabled correct prediction of effusion in 93% of these children. One pattern at B660 was found to be pathognomonic of effusion. 3) In general, otoadmittance at 660 Hz appears to be a better indicator of effusion than 220 Hz.

Acute Disease↗