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Hansen's disease induces hypertrophic neuropathy. Computed tomography was performed on ulnar, median, peroneal and tibial posterior nerves where there is clinically presumed lesion. The CT findings (diameter and density) have correlated well with intra-operative findings. The computed tomography is a reliable method to study peripheral nerve lesions in Hansen's disease patients.
A computer program is described which allows analysis of reflex muscle responses to electric stimulation of peripheral nerves. Basically, the program is derived from an older methodic approach, yet the process of evaluating the obtained means of reflex muscle responses is in this computer assisted procedure simpler and of a higher quality. The proposed improvement of the original methodic approach provides an important advantage for clinical practice in significantly speeding up the investigation and evaluation of reflex muscle responses on using financially accessible computer technique of Czechoslovak make. The paper points out the possibility of using the program also for analysis of other biological signals and of adjusting it for more efficient types of personal computers.
A computer network system has been developed in the Orthodontic Clinic, Osaka University Dental Hospital, to improve treatment efficiency and patient service. The system consists of a 32-bit host computer, its peripheral units, and personal computers connected to the host computer by data-transmission circuits, making up a local area network (LAN). It is possible in this system to integrate various types of data, such as the patient's basic information, treatment records, image data, and diagnostic analysis results to construct a relational database. It has been shown that the computer system developed in the orthodontic clinic has various clinical advantages.
This chapter is concerned with the technical aspects of computers. It is therefore concerned with how computers came about in the way they did, and who were the people who pioneered their development--what they were like in the early years, what they are like now, and what are likely to be the future developments. The emphasis is always on giving information to the readers so that they may know what questions to ask of the experts and, equally important, which experts to spend time with. In consequence of this last statement it becomes necessary to present a panorama showing the range of computers both size-wise and cost-wise; such scenario will therefore cover the vista from large main-frames (which must inevitably be needed in District Health Authorities and District General Hospitals) to the desk-top personal computers which all clinicians of the future will find essential. Because readers will be experiencing the impact and, hopefully, the benefits of the computer at the lower end of the size and price scale, considerable space has been devoted to explaining the various items (disc drives, monitors, printers) that pervade the microcomputer scene. New terminology must be introduced to readers if they are to discuss intelligently their computer needs to the providers of such facilities. Just as an automobile is no use without oil, petrol, water and a competent user, so the computer hardware needs computer software and a competent user. The chapter therefore continued with some considerable space being devoted to software (operating systems, programming languages, utilities and expert systems) so that the user will have clear guidance as to which path to follow in order to become a competent user of the present and future technology. Because of the rapid advances in data storage, in networking and in computer programs, the clinicians of tomorrow will have vast sources of information at their disposal. This latter will include not only patient records, but also drug data-sheets, textbooks, journals and research reports. Finally, lack of space has prevented some topics receiving more than a cursory mention. This is known but, like real life, one has to make judgements as to the relative importance of the topics and include those which come out top. It is hoped that the readers will not be too disappointed: if they absorb all that is here they will be very knowledgeable indeed.
Computed Tomographic (CT) findings of peripheral-type schwannomas were reviewed and compared with the histology. Ten patients were examined. Plain CT showed all tumors as hypodense mass. After injection of contrast material, they were enhanced in various fashions. The enhancement patterns were divided into four types. On enhancement CT, highly enhanced area in the tumor was consistent with hypercellular region or vascular rich area, whereas poorly stained area revealed hypocellular area, interstitial xanthomatous change or cystic degeneration. It is concluded that the inter-tumoral difference in special distribution of hyper- and hypocellular areas leads to the variety of enhancement pattern on CT images.
Radiographic images can be converted into numerical sequences that can be evalueate by computer to determine the significance of certain radiographic findings in peripheral pulmonary nodules. Of three methods (discriminant analysis. Bayes' theoroem, and the Calm system), discriminant analysis has proven the best with an accuracy rate of 85%. By taking into account serial radiographs and statements on the possible growth of the neoplasm, the accuracy of the method can be increased to 90%. A simplified, inexpensive and effective method for application of this diagnostic tool is described.
Pre-operative computed tomograms were obtained in 52 patients with histologically confirmed peripheral bronchial carcinomas and possible involvement of the pleura and thoracic wall was analysed. The results were compared with the operative and histological findings. Thickening of the pleura and of the sub-pleural fat line was observed in 24 cases. Amongst these patients there was only one case with histologically confirmed pleural infiltration. In 17 patients the sub-pleural fat line was obliterated, or could not be defined. Amongst these, 11 showed tumour extension to the pleura or soft tissues of the chest wall. It is concluded that the most suspicions sign of pleural tumour extension is absence of the sub-pleural fat line. The more frequently observed pleural thickening cannot be considered as a reliable sign for pleural involvement.
The clinical localisation of peripheral nerve lesions can sometimes be difficult, particularly following injury to the brachial plexus when multiple lesions are often present. In this situation, computers may be of assistance in interpreting the complicated patterns of clinical findings. This paper describes the evaluation of a computer program that uses a simulation model of the consequences of nerve injury, based on a representation of the relevant anatomy. A retrospective study of 26 patients with upper limb nerve lesions was carried out. The computer program compared favourably with three clinicians in interpreting the findings correctly. It is suggested that this approach may be transferable to other applications.
Computer aided differentiation of plasmoblasts, Pfeiffer cells, immunoblasts, lymphocytes and centrocytes is achieved with the parameters of chromatin network arrangement and structure, and multispectral cytoplasm color. The digital methods involve: (a) segmenting the nuclear image into topographic sections and analyzing the optical density distribution from the chromatin in these sections; (b) determining the nuclear structure with a 7 x 7 median filter, gradient filter and contour following algorithms; and (c) clustering two-dimensional chromatic data from panoptically stained cellular components. The parameters reported here are a subset of those needed for the automated diagnosis of many hematologic diseases especially the leukemias.
Normal subjects were used to evaluate a fiber optic instrumented glove for semi-automated goniometric measurement. The glove electronically records and transmits hand and finger position to a host computer by measuring the amount of joint flexion. The glove was put through a series of range-of-motion (ROM) tests with five subjects. Metacarpal (MP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint angles of the five digits were compared during repetitive standardized motions to evaluate the glove's repeatability. The results showed an overall error of 5.6 degrees, as compared to an error of between 5 and 8 degrees with manual measurement. Additional tests were done to determine factors such as fit, grip force, and wrist motion that may contribute to the overall error. The glove should have applicability to some aspects of hand evaluation as a semi-automated goniometric measurement device.
Application of computerized equipment in psychodiagnosis and cognitive training entails novel methodical aspects which relate to design of operator and response controls as well as to the test configuration. Some of these aspects are discussed.
A formal systematization of the set of procedures required in peripheral nerve morphometry has been implemented in a computer program, in an attempt to provide an easy-to-handle diagnostic tool in current neuropathological practice. The hardware is composed of an IBM-PC compatible computer and a graphic tablet. Programs are written in BASIC and run in computers compatible with the MS-DOS operating system. The flow of operative steps involved in the morphometric study is controlled by the software. Sequential measurements are also tested for congruence. Nerve fibre measurements are stored in pluri-dimensional matrices for subsequent statistical calculations, i.e. evaluation of size-frequency distribution of nerve fibres and correlation analysis between nerve fibre subcomponents. Stereological estimates of the parenchymal components are also derived. The increase in accuracy achieved using area instead of diameter measurements is stressed. Compared to "dedicated" machines such personal computer-assisted systems exhibit substantial advantages in terms of low cost and flexibility.
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We present GelReader 1.0, a microcomputer program designed to make precision, digital analysis of one-dimensional electrophoretic gels accessible to the molecular biology laboratory of modest means. Images of electrophoretic gels are digitized via a desktop flatbed scanner from instant photographs, autoradiograms or chromogenically stained blotting media. GelReader is then invoked to locate lanes and bands and generate a report of molecular weights of unknowns, based on specified sets of standards. Frequently used standards can be stored in the program. Lanes and bands can be added or removed, based upon users' subjective preferences. A unique lane histogram feature facilitates precise manual addition of bands missed by the software. Image enhancement features include palette manipulation, histogram equalization, shadowing and magnification. The user interface strikes a balance between program autonomy and user intervention, in recognition of the variability in electrophoretic gel quality and users' analytical needs.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.