Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “object detection”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Human auditory steady-state responses.

Steady-state evoked potentials can be recorded from the human scalp in response to auditory stimuli presented at rates between 1 and 200 Hz or by periodic modulations of the amplitude and/or frequency of a continuous tone. Responses can be objectively detected using frequency-based analyses. In waking subjects, the responses are particularly prominent at rates near 40 Hz. Responses evoked by more rapidly presented stimuli are less affected by changes in arousal and can be evoked by multiple simultaneous stimuli without significant loss of amplitude. Response amplitude increases as the depth of modulation or the intensity increases. The phase delay of the response increases as the intensity or the carrier frequency decreases. Auditory steady-state responses are generated throughout the auditory nervous system, with cortical regions contributing more than brainstem generators to responses at lower modulation frequencies. These responses are useful for objectively evaluating auditory thresholds, assessing suprathreshold hearing, and monitoring the state of arousal during anesthesia.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Improvements in computerized fetal heart rate analysis antepartum.

The continued development of a computerised system for measuring the pattern of the antepartum fetal heart rate (FHR) is described. Previous work had established that measurement of FHR variation objectively detects chronic fetal hypoxaemia and the onset of metabolic acidaemia antepartum. The normal centiles were calculated for the amplitude of long-term FHR variation, in episodes of high and low variation, week by week from 24-42 weeks gestation. Reference to these (automatically by the computer) improved discrimination between normal and questionable records in 38% of records, with a small saving of time. Two types of sinusoidal rhythm were described (slow, 1 in 2-5 minutes, incidence 0.16% of subjects; and faster, 2-5 per minute, incidence 0.025%) with methods for their detection. Both may be of sufficient amplitude to induce an episode of high FHR variation. The different effects of maternal steroid (betamethasone or dexamethasone) administration of FHR variation were compared, and the clinical consequences considered. The frequency distribution of basal FHR in normal and abnormal records was measured, and the effects on basal FHR outside the normal range (120-160 bpm) on FHR variation described. Adjustment of the FHR baseline was undertaken when, exceptionally, large abrupt changes in heart rate occurred during a record. The duration and frequency of FHR record acquisition in clinical practice were reviewed, and new policies recommended. With adequate safeguards, measurement by a computer offers reliable objective information from which fetal health may be assessed, more objectively and accurately than by visual inspection.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[A differentiated study of the retinal function in segmental retinitis pigmentosa by multifocal electroretinograms].

PURPOSE: Generalized retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa may manifest with focal retinal dysfunctions. These may be detected objectively by new electrophysiological techniques, such as multifocal electroretinography (ERG). CASE REPORT: A mother and daughter, aged 81 and 46 years, showed bilateral caudal bone spiculae formations with corresponding cranial visual field defects in the static perimetry of the central visual field (Octopus) and in the kinetic perimetry (Goldmann). RESULTS: Pattern VEP, pattern ERG, EOG, and cone ERG were within the normal range. The scotopic ERG was in the lower normal range. The multifocal cone ERG of the central 50 degrees showed reduced amplitudes and prolonged latencies in the first-order response component. These findings corresponded to the area of the bone spiculae and the scotomata. CONCLUSION: Multifocal ERG enables the detection of focal retinal cone dysfunction in segmental retinitis pigmentosa. It is an additional tool that may aid in the diagnosis and classification of this disease.

Age Factors↗

CGHPRO -- a comprehensive data analysis tool for array CGH.

BACKGROUND: Array CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridisation) is a molecular cytogenetic technique for the genome wide detection of chromosomal imbalances. It is based on the co-hybridisation of differentially labelled test and reference DNA onto arrays of genomic BAC clones, cDNAs or oligonucleotides, and after correction for various intervening variables, loss or gain in the test DNA can be indicated from spots showing aberrant signal intensity ratios. Now that this technique is no longer confined to highly specialized laboratories and is entering the realm of clinical application, there is a need for a user-friendly software package that facilitates estimates of DNA dosage from raw signal intensities obtained by array CGH experiments, and which does not depend on a sophisticated computational environment. RESULTS: We have developed a user-friendly and versatile tool for the normalization, visualization, breakpoint detection and comparative analysis of array-CGH data. CGHPRO is a stand-alone JAVA application that guides the user through the whole process of data analysis. The import option for image analysis data covers several data formats, but users can also customize their own data formats. Several graphical representation tools assist in the selection of the appropriate normalization method. Intensity ratios of each clone can be plotted in a size-dependent manner along the chromosome ideograms. The interactive graphical interface offers the chance to explore the characteristics of each clone, such as the involvement of the clones sequence in segmental duplications. Circular Binary Segmentation and unsupervised Hidden Markov Model algorithms facilitate objective detection of chromosomal breakpoints. The storage of all essential data in a back-end database allows the simultaneously comparative analysis of different cases. The various display options facilitate also the definition of shortest regions of overlap and simplify the identification of odd clones. CONCLUSION: CGHPRO is a comprehensive and easy-to-use data analysis tool for array CGH. Since all of its features are available offline, CGHPRO may be especially suitable in situations where protection of sensitive patient data is an issue. It is distributed under GNU GPL licence and runs on Linux and Windows.

Algorithms↗

Falls in blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea after long-term nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) lowers blood pressure (BP). The long-term effects of nCPAP treatment on BP in OSA patients are not well known. The time period of such treatment sufficient to lower BP in OSA patients is also not known. We investigated compliance with long-term nCPAP therapy and its effects on BP. METHODS: This observational study involved 66 OSA patients [59 men, seven women; mean age, 51 (48-54) years; body mass index (BMI), 28.7 (27.7-29.7) kg/m; apnoea and hypopnoea, 50.3 (45.6-55.0)/h; 95% confidence intervals]. BP and BMI were measured before the study and at two checkpoints after usage of nCPAP [620 (552-688) and 1071 (1000-1143) days]. RESULTS: The different times between the first and second checkpoints for detecting objective compliance were 17 (4-30) min (P = 0.003). Diastolic BP decreased by 5.9 (3.1-8.7) mmHg after 600 days nCPAP treatment and by 4.6 (2.0-7.2) mmHg after 1000 days (P = 0.0006). Systolic BP and BMI did not change significantly. Usage of nCPAP treatment for a daily average of 3 h was needed to achieve a significant decrease in diastolic BP [7.4 (4.3-10.6) mmHg, P < 0.0001]. Diastolic BP of normotensive OSA patients did not change significantly by nCPAP treatment, but that of hypertensive OSA patients decreased significantly within 1 month-3 years of nCPAP treatment whether or not medication was used. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe OSA, the use of nCPAP for a daily average of 3 h would be sufficient to decrease the diastolic BP of hypertensive OSA patients.

Blood Pressure↗

Experimental studies of the resolution of acoustic rhinometry in vivo.

The ability of acoustic rhinometry to detect objects of defined size in nasal cavities has hitherto been investigated only in cadavers and models. We aimed to determine the resolution of the technique in the nose of living subjects. Silicone spheres of 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 mm diameter were placed at two sites in the decongested and locally anaesthetised nasal cavities of 3 healthy adults. Acoustic rhinometry area-distance functions were obtained before and after insertion of the spheres, with further control data obtained after removal of the sphere from the nasal cavity. Six nasal cavities were studied in each test state on two separate occasions. The 3.0 mm sphere caused a statistically significant change in cavity volumes in only 17% of cases when placed in the middle meatus and in 8% at the nasal value (Mann-Whitney U-test; p < 0.05). The detection rates for the 5.0 mm sphere were 50% in the middle meatus and 50% at the nasal valve. When the control and test curves were compared by superimposition and the cross-sectional areas at the site of perturbations compared statistically (Mann-Whitney U-test) the detection rates in the middle meatus were: 33%-3.0 mm and 67%-5.0 mm sphere. The detection rate at the nasal valve region was 25%-3.0 mm sphere and 58%-5.0 mm. The 7.0 mm sphere was detected in 100% cases by volume changes, and 80% by area changes. Acoustic rhinometry can reliably detect changes of volume and area in the living nose resulting from the introduction of a 7 mm sphere into the nasal valve or middle meatal region in most cases. Smaller spheres are detected in only a fraction of cases. The resolution of the technique is therefore close to 7.0 mm (1.44 cm3). These findings are important when interpreting acoustic rhinometry data in monitoring patients with nasal pathology.

Acoustics↗

Evaluating residual background noise in human auditory brain-stem responses.

The nature of the residual background noise in ABR averages was empirically examined in normal hearing objects. The residual noise in the average was estimated with use of the technique described by Elberling and Don [Scand. Audiol. 13, 187-197 (1984)]. Low-level click stimuli were presented in 2-dB steps spanning the range from 30 to 48 dB p-p.e. SPL. For each stimulus level, 10,000 sweeps were acquired and stored for analysis. Shortcomings of the use of artifact rejection and standard averaging are demonstrated. It is further demonstrated how application of the Bayesian estimation technique of Elberling and Wahlgreen [Scand. Audiol. 14, 89-96 (1985)] to form weighted averages can help minimize these shortcomings. Finally, the effects of smaller sweep block sizes on the Bayesian technique's ability to control the destructive effects of nonstationary noise are analyzed. Minimizing the destructive effects increases the value of statistical techniques used to detect objectively or to control the quality of ABR recordings. In all, these techniques in combination improve not only the accuracy of test interpretation but also the efficiency of clinical test time, which is becoming important for the control of medical costs.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Transmission of linearly polarized light in seawater: implications for polarization signaling.

Partially linearly polarized light is abundant in the oceans. The natural light field is partially polarized throughout the photic range, and some objects and animals produce a polarization pattern of their own. Many polarization-sensitive marine animals take advantage of the polarization information, using it for tasks ranging from navigation and finding food to communication. In such tasks, the distance to which the polarization information propagates is of great importance. Using newly designed polarization sensors, we measured the changes in linear polarization underwater as a function of distance from a standard target. In the relatively clear waters surrounding coral reefs, partial (%) polarization decreased exponentially as a function of distance from the target, resulting in a 50% reduction of partial polarization at a distance of 1.25-3 m, depending on water quality. Based on these measurements, we predict that polarization sensitivity will be most useful for short-range (in the order of meters) visual tasks in water and less so for detecting objects, signals, or structures from far away. Navigation and body orientation based on the celestial polarization pattern are predicted to be limited to shallow waters as well, while navigation based on the solar position is possible through a deeper range.

Light↗

Extension of x-ray imaging linear systems analysis to detectors with energy discrimination capability.

A figure of merit, the broad-spectrum generalized detective quantum efficiency, which describes the performance of digital detectors designed for broad-spectrum x-ray imaging is derived from linear response theory. This measure of the imaging efficacy of an x-ray sensor is obtained when detector contrast modulation in the domain of x-ray energy is introduced in the Fourier-based analysis of digital systems. A method is proposed to scale existing figures of merit according to the energy-dependent response of the detector and the spectral shape of the x-ray beam. The new figure of merit obtained with this method provides an extended description of system performance when comparing energy-integrating, single-photon counting, and future energy-sensitive x-ray imaging sensors. The applicability of this linear system analysis is restricted to the tasks of low-contrast object detection in radiography. The method for scaling the figure of merit to take into consideration broad-spectrum conditions is applied to mammography for future energy-dependent detectors. An approximation valid in the typical mammographic x-ray energy range is used to calculate the broad-spectrum generalized detective quantum efficiency at zero spatial frequency, for several mammographic x-ray spectra. X-ray energy weighting in mammography is investigated in the context of simulated tumors and microcalcifications detection by comparing this figure of merit, calculated for different detector technologies, under ideal imaging conditions, at zero spatial frequency.

Algorithms↗

Effect of acute reduction in oxygen transport on parameters of aerobic function during exercise.

The binding of haemoglobin by carbon monoxide reversibly decreases the blood O2 carrying capacity, providing a useful model of impaired circulatory O2 transport. We evaluated noninvasive parameters of aerobic function during exercise to detect small changes in O2 transport, using carbon monoxide. Ten normal subjects performed both symptom-limited incremental and two levels of constant work rate on a cycle ergometer while breathing air and air with added carbon monoxide to cause carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) to be approximately 11% (level of heavy cigarette smoker) and 20%. Maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max), the anaerobic threshold (AT) determined from the plot of CO2 output as a function VO2 (V-slope, the ratio of increase in VO2 to work rate increment (delta VO2/delta WR) and the upper slope of the V-slope analysis were measured while progressively increasing work rate. These changed in approximately the same percent as the increase in COHb. For the constant work rate tests, the time constant of VO2 and the difference in VO2 at six minutes as compared to three minutes of exercise (delta VO2 (6-3)) were significantly increased when COHb was increased. These noninvasive parameters of aerobic function, determined from the cardiopulmonary response to incremental and constant work rate exercise, particularly when used in combination, proved to be sufficiently sensitive to objectively detect small changes in O2 transport to the working muscles during exercise.

Adolescent↗

Mini-Mental State Examination is superior to plasma glucose concentrations in monitoring patients with suspected hypoglycaemic disorders during the 72-hour fast.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) allows the objective detection and documentation of cognitive deterioration in patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders by the 72-h fast. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: In 50 patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders, the MMSE score (maximum 30 points) was assessed at the start and at the end of the fast. RESULTS: The fast was terminated before 72 h in 14 patients because they developed neuroglycopenic symptoms due to hypoglycaemic disorders. Their MMSE score fell from a median of 29 points (range 20-30) at the beginning to 17 points (range 0-24) at the termination of the fast. The score dropped by > or =6 points in all patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. Median (range) plasma glucose concentration at the end of the fast was 2.1 (1.1-2.5) mmol/l. Thirty-six individuals developed no neuroglycopenic symptoms throughout the 72-h fast, their MMSE score remained between 27 and 30 throughout the fast and their median plasma glucose concentration dropped to 2.9 (2-3.6) mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the MMSE at the beginning and at the termination of the fast allows objective determination and documentation of the deterioration of the cognitive state in patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. A decline in the cognitive performance by > or =6 points in the MMSE score rather than a distinct plasma glucose concentration should be used as the criterion to terminate the prolonged fast before 72 h.

Adolescent↗

The emergence of rotavirus genotype G9 in hospitalised children in Slovenia.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus G9 genotype was thought to be the fifth most common genotype circulating amongst the population. In previous studies in Slovenia, only G1, G3 and G4 genotypes were detected. OBJECTIVES: To determine G and P genotypes of rotaviruses causing dehydrating gastroenteritis in children hospitalised at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana during the winter season 2001-2002. Some data obtained in previous years are included, too. STUDY DESIGN: For the G and P genotypes determination, we selected 99 of the total of 565 rotavirus positive samples. RT-PCR was carried out for G gene or partial P gene amplification. The RT-PCR product was used as a template for multiplex nested PCR using genotype-specific primers. In untypable samples, a sequence analysis of a short segment of G or P gene was performed. From the period before July 2001, 183 stool samples were examined using the same methods. RESULTS: Genotype G1 was determined in 37, G4 in 6, and G9 in 28 samples out of 99. Only one sample showed a mixed infection with G1G4 genotype specifics. Following the sequence analysis of the short segment of G gene in 11 G9 genotypes, 2 different clusters of G9 genotype were determined. All samples had the same P genotype--P[8]. G9 genotype had not been detected prior to July 2001. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus G9 genotype emerged in Slovenia in the year 2001. Two different clusters were determined which have to be further characterised in detail.

Child↗

Objective method for localization of cortical asymmetries using positron emission tomography to aid surgical resection of epileptic foci.

We designed a semiautomated method for the objective detection of abnormal regions of tracer accumulation in the brain. The purpose of the present study was to examine the diagnostic performance of this method by applying it to patients with clinically intractable epilepsy of unilateral origin; they underwent [F-18] deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) prior to surgical resection of epileptic foci. A semiautomated method for assessment of asymmetries in the brain cortex was developed that compares activity concentrations in homotopic cortical areas. When these differences exceeded a predefined threshold, the areas with lower activity were marked and 3-dimensional surface rendered images were created to guide placement of intracranial electrodes (ECoG) followed by surgical resection. The normal amount of asymmetry between small (0.5-0.7 cm2) homotopic cortical regions was determined as 5.9 +/- 4.0% (mean +/- SD). The false-positive fraction was determined for cutoff thresholds of 1 SD (10%), 1.5 SD (12%), and 2 SD (15%) outside the mean and was found to be 89, 44, and 0%, respectively. The obtained sensitivity-specificity pairs for correct localization of epileptogenic lobes based on the ECoG results were best for the 15% threshold (80/94%, accuracy 0.90). This objective PET method allows the accurate determination of cortical asymmetries, and it proved to be highly efficient in guiding epilepsy surgery.

Adolescent↗

Neoplasia detection in Macoma balthica from the Gulf of Gdansk: comparison of flow cytometry, histology and chromosome analysis.

A flow cytometry protocol was applied for the detection of neoplasia in Macoma balthica L. from the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea, Poland). A simple method, based on an osmotic shock, was used to permeabilise gill cells. The cytometric pattern of normal clams consisted of 2 peaks, a major peak B and a smaller peak C. The cytometric pattern of affected clams consisted of 2 peaks named B' and C'. Two parameters were used to define the stages of abnormalities in M. balthica clams based on the percentage of cells in peaks B, C, B' and C' and on the ratio between the fluorescence value of peaks B, C, B' and C' in all individuals. Three stages of neoplasia were clearly distinguished by flow cytometry considering peak C'. Stage 1 was characterised by a major population of cells in peak B' and more than 10% of cells in the C' peak. Stage 2 consisted of a lower percentage of cells in peak B' and more than 25% of cells in peak C'. Stage 3 of the neoplasia was characterised by a further reduction in peak B' and more than 40% of cells in peak C'. Flow cytometry allowed for objective detection of neoplasia and provided a rapid method for measuring the DNA content of thousands of cells per individual. The accuracy of flow cytometry was assessed by comparing with standard histological techniques, used here as a reference technique for the detection of neoplasia, and with chromosome analysis. All individuals were analysed in parallel using the 3 techniques. The proportion of normal and affected individuals diagnosed using flow cytometry was comparable to the proportion determined by histology and chromosome analysis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Automated lung sound analysis in patients with pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether objectively detected lung sounds were significantly different in patients with pneumonia than those in asymptomatic subjects, and to quantify the pneumonia findings for teaching purposes. METHODS: At a community teaching hospital we used a multi-channel lung sound analyzer to examine a learning sample of 50 patients diagnosed with pneumonia and 50 control subjects. Automated quantification and characterization of the lung sounds commonly recognized to be associated with pneumonia were used to generate an "acoustic pneumonia score." These were examined in the learning sample and then prospectively tested in 50 patients and 50 controls. RESULTS: The acoustic pneumonia score averaged 13 in the learning sample and 11 in the test sample of pneumonia patients. The scores were 2 and 3 in the controls. The positive predictive value of a score higher than 6 was 0.94 in the learning sample and 0.87 in the test sample. The sensitivities in the 2 groups were 0.90 and 0.78, and the specificities were 0.94 and 0.88, respectively. Adventitious sounds were more common in pneumonia patients (inspiratory crackles 81% vs 28%, expiratory crackles 65% vs 9%, rhonchi 19% vs 0%). CONCLUSION: Our lung sound analyzer found significant differences between lung sounds in patients with pneumonia and in asymptomatic controls. Computerized lung sound analysis can provide objective evidence supporting the diagnosis of pneumonia. We believe that the lung-sound data produced by our device will help to teach physical diagnosis.

Aged↗

Human-AI Interaction With AI-Assisted Tumor Overlays in Pediatric Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Exploratory Reader Study.

BACKGROUND: AI tools have the potential to enhance personalized clinical care, particularly in radiology. However, their integration into clinical workflows remains complex, especially in pediatric oncology, where early cancer detection is critical. Children with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare cancer predisposition disorder, undergo regular surveillance whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (wbMRI), which presents an opportunity for AI-assisted tumor detection. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the feasibility of an AI-assisted overlay for highlighting tumor-like regions in pediatric surveillance wbMRI and explored how access to the overlay influenced radiologist workflow, candidate-lesion marking behavior, follow-up recommendations, and perceived workload. METHODS: We developed a patch-based AI segmentation model trained on augmented 2D slices from 675 surveillance wbMRI volumes of pediatric patients with LFS. The model was designed to highlight regions with high tumor probability. A reader study was conducted with 2 radiologists who independently reviewed wbMRI cases both with and without AI assistance. We measured evaluation time, number and location of reader-marked candidate lesions, type of follow-up recommendation, and subjective feedback using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: AI assistance altered interpretation workflows for both radiologists, with mixed effects. On average, the time required to evaluate each case increased when using the AI tool for both radiologists. However, one radiologist had an increase in the number of candidate lesion locations selected with the tool, and one had a decrease in the number of candidate lesion locations selected with the tool. Subjective feedback indicated that one of the radiologists reported lower mental demand with the AI tool, while both radiologists reported lower stress with the AI tool. Interrater variability was evident, underscoring the need for personalized calibration of AI tools. CONCLUSIONS: AI-assisted wbMRI interpretation can improve tumor detection in pediatric cancer surveillance by reducing false negatives. However, its influence on workflow efficiency and interradiologist variability highlights the importance of careful implementation. Successful integration requires addressing challenges such as improving the predictive precision of AI models, offering intuitive end-user designs and instructions, and building trust in AI outputs. AI outputs can influence workflow and behavior in reader-specific ways. Clinical translation will require larger, randomized, multireader studies and model refinement to reduce false positives and quantify lesion-level reader performance. This can help ensure better patient outcomes in addition to reduced clinician burnout.

Humans↗

Noninvasive detection and differentiation of gastric malignancy using cell-free DNA biomarkers.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer remains a major global health burden, with high mortality driven by late-stage diagnoses that limit treatment options and reduce survival. Current diagnostic methods such as endoscopy and biopsy are invasive, resource-intensive, and impractical for large-scale early detection. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop and validate an ensemble machine learning model integrating four cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomic feature classes derived from 5&#xa0;&#xd7;&#xa0;whole genome sequencing (WGS) data to non-invasively differentiate malignant gastric cancer from benign gastric lesions in high-risk or symptomatic patients. METHODS: A total of 681 plasma samples were prospectively collected, comprising 329 from patients with gastric cancer or high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and 352 from individuals with benign gastric conditions. The dataset was divided into a training cohort (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;333) and a temporally independent validation cohort (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;348). An external validation cohort of 305 participants was also included. RESULTS: The ensemble model achieved an AUROC of 0.920 in cross-validation testing on the training cohort, 0.912 in the independent validation cohort, and 0.896 (95% CI 0.860-0.932) in the external cohort. At a pre-specified prediction threshold of 0.402, the model demonstrated 93.3% sensitivity and 71.9% specificity in the validation cohort, yielding a PPV of 71.3% and an NPV of 93.5%. In the external cohort, sensitivity and specificity were 91.7% and 69.1%, respectively (PPV 75.7%, NPV 88.8%). Model scores correlated with clinical stage, tumor grade, and histopathological subtype. Approximately 71% of non-cancer patients could have been spared unnecessary endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The cfDNA fragmentomics-based ensemble model enables accurate, non-invasive differentiation between gastric cancer and benign gastric lesions in high-risk or symptomatic patients. This approach demonstrates strong potential as a pre-endoscopy triage tool, supporting earlier detection and more efficient use of diagnostic resources.

Humans↗

Multifocal pattern VEP perimetry: analysis of sectoral waveforms.

PURPOSE: The objective detection of local visual field defects using multi-focal pattern visual evoked potentials (VEP) has recently been described. The individual waveforms show variable polarity in different parts of the visual field due to underlying cortical convolutions. Normal trace arrays were examined to determine if certain areas of similar waveform could be grouped for analysis, while minimising cancellation of data. METHOD: The VEP was assessed using multi-focal pseudo-randomly alternated pattern stimuli which were cortically scaled in size. Bipolar occipital electrodes were used for recording. Waveforms were compared for different locations within the field up to 25 degrees of eccentricity. Analysis of sectors showing similarly shaped waveforms was performed. Twelve normal subjects were studied. RESULT: Grouping waveforms by sectors of similar waveform increased the total calculated upper hemifield amplitude by 60%, compared with simple summations of responses for the whole hemifield. The inferior hemifield showed more consistent waveforms throughout, with the amplitude only increasing by 11% with sectoral summation. Intra-subject variability (10.6%) is less for sectors than for individual points (17.3%). Inter-subject amplitude differences are high, calculated at 56% for individual points and 45% for sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Due to differences in waveform as a result of underlying cortical anatomy, individual VEP responses from multifocal recordings should be grouped as sectors along the vertical meridian and above and below the horizontal, rather than by hemifields or quadrants. This finding is significant if one is considering within-field grouping strategies similar to the glaucoma hemifield test used in conventional perimetry, or reporting derived overall VEP amplitudes and latencies from a multifocal recording. Large amplitude variations between individuals and small signals from horizontal and upper field seen in single channel recording, still limit the application of this technique as a form of objective perimetry.

Evoked Potentials, Visual↗