Construction of the knowledge file for an image understanding system.

To enable an image understanding system to provide an automated interpretation of diagnostic imagery it must have access to all of the concepts, procedures and methods used by human experts. The paper describes information elicitation from experts of different domains and the construction of a knowledge file. Uncertainty management is based on Bayesian belief network methods.     

Diffuse peripheral odontogenic fibroma: report of 3 cases

Since peripheral odontogenic fibroma (POF) is characteristically described as a solitary lesion and no diffuse POF had been reported in the literature, our cases should be considered as extremely unusual. Three diffuse cases of POF are described of which one case was seen in association with ocular and skin lesions. The question arises whether POF should be considered as a true odontogenic tumor rather than a diffuse hamartomatous lesion caused by uncontrolled induction of the gingiva. It is also possible that such lesions could be part of a yet undescribed syndrome.     

Factors associated with work-related injury among hospital employees: a case-control study.

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) spends $1 million annually on occupational illnesses and injuries. To address the problem of injuries among hospital employees, a retrospective case-control study was conducted to examine select risk factors for work-related injuries (WRI) among CAVHS employees. Study methods included a review of employee health charts and computer and manual databases from 1997 to 2002 (N = 2,050). The researchers found that WRI increased with age; WRI occurred more often in women than in men; WRI was greater among maintenance and custodial staff compared to direct caregivers, and less among clerical staff; WRI occurred less often in part-time than full-time staff; and WRI increased with increasing body mass index. Developing standards, guidelines, and policies for preplacement screening, preventive measures, training, and education may help to minimize WRI and associated costs.     

Treatment and results in severe craniocerebral trauma

Treatment of severe craniocerebral traumas in medium and major hospitals not provided with special neurosurgical equipment requires particularly close interdisciplinary cooperation between surgeons, neurologists and anaesthesiologists. CT facilities are an essential prerequisite for best possible patient care. Patient safety during the posttraumatic and postoperative phases is improved by measuring the intracranial pressure. Whereas corticosteroid treatment may be arguable, barbiturate treatment should presently not be a routine procedure because of its side effects and high rate of complications.