Diagnostic performance of liquid crystal and cathode-ray-tube monitors in brain computed tomography

The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility of reporting brain CT examinations on liquid crystal display (LCD) flat-screen monitors vs state-of-the-art cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors. Ninety-five brain CT examinations of 95 patients were displayed on Picture archiving and communications system (PACS) workstations equipped either with a dedicated medical imaging LCD colour monitor or on a high-resolution CRT which is used for routine reporting of CT, MRI and digital radiography images in our institution. Fifty cases were negative and 45 cases were positive for early brain infarction (EBI), the latter being defined by a combination of one or more signs: dense artery; hypodensity of brain parenchyma; and local brain swelling verified by control scans. Ten radiologists had to rate presence or absence of EBI on a five-point scale. Ratings were evaluated by CORROC2 ROC software and areas under the ROC curve (A_z) were computed. Significance of differences between the two viewing conditions were evaluated with Wilcoxon test. Mean A_z of the ten observers was 0.7901 with LCD vs 0.7695 with CRT which did not show statistical significance (p=0.2030). In the setting investigated, reporting of CT studies from high-performance LCD monitors seems feasible without significant detriment to diagnostic performance.     

Performance of Web-based image distribution: client-oriented measurements

The aim of this study was to define a clinically suitable personal computer (PC) configuration for Web-based image distribution and to assess the influence of different hard- and software configurations on the performance. Through specially developed software the time-to-display (TTD) for various PC configurations was measured. Different processor speeds, random access memory (RAM), screen resolutions, graphic adapters, network speeds, operating systems and examination types (computed radiography, CT, MRI) were evaluated, providing more than half a million measurements. Processor speed was the most relevant factor for the TTD; doubling the speed halved the TTD. Under processor speeds of 350 MHz, TTD mostly remained above 5 s for 1 CR or 16 CT images. Here Windows NT with lossy compression were superior. Processor speeds of 350 MHz and over delivered TTD <5 s. In this case Windows 2000 and lossless compression were preferable. Screen resolutions above 1280×1024 pixels increased the TTD mainly for CR images. The RAM amount, network speed and graphic adapter did not have a significant influence. The minimum threshold for clinical routine is any standard off-the-shelf PC better than Pentium II 350 MHz, 128 MB RAM; hence, high-end PC hardware is not required.     

高职药学专业英语实用教学之我见

药学专业英语的教学是培养高职药学类实用型人才的过程中所不能忽视的重要环节。本文从宏观角度阐述了药学专业英语教学的基本特色与原则；从微观角度论述如何有效地开展专业词汇、翻译、阅读的教学。将药学英语应用到药学实验中，强调了专业英语必须学以致用。     

图像存储与传输系统在放射科的建设与应用

目的:探讨在组建图像存储与传输系统(picture archiving and communication system,PACS)过程中的总体设计与软件体系结构。方法:把具有医学数字成像及通讯(digital imaging and communication in medicine,DICOM)标准接口或非DlCOM标准接口的影像设备进行联网,制定资源共享,系统存储的解决方案,建立典型的医院放射科PACS系统,连接目前医院现有的设备:磁共振、数字乳腺、KODAK及富士X线摄影,GE计算机X线摄影及GE-CT、GE-DSA,解决管理及存储问题。结果:建立了典型的医院放射科PACS系统,连接了目前医院的现有设备,实现了放射科初步的无胶片化方式,建立起了影像数据中心,使用起来较为得心应手,方便了医生。结论:图像存储与传输系统在放射科的建设与初级应用,提高了放射科室的QA(质量管理)、QC(质量控制动)的控制水平,提高了工作效率。     

PACS临床应用培训中的对策与方法

为解决PACS临床应用培训中针对性不强、实践活动少等问题,开发实验室环境下的PACS模拟系统,提供在可控条件下加深受训者对PACS认识的感性平台。使受训者在模拟系统上得到观察临床PACS的整体运行过程;追踪、观察、回顾影像流;鉴别影像流瓶颈;观察PACS运行时的冲突及失败现象;排除临床PACS的常见故障等几方面的训练。     

Accuracy of digital imaging interpretation on an 1K × 1K PC-based workstation in the emergency department

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of interpretation of digital radiographs on 1K × 1K PC-based workstations and compare it to that of 2K × 2K workstations in our filmless emergency department. We reviewed 1013 studies, of which 404 were chest, 133 abdominal, and 476 musculoskeletal. All studies were interpreted prospectively on the 1K × 1K workstation, and the findings were compared to those on the 2K × 2K diagnostic workstation which served as the control. Among all the studies performed, 515 were negative (255 chest, 91 abdominal, and 169 musculoskeletal). Another 498 had positive findings (149 chest, 42 abdominal, and 307 musculoskeletal). When the cases were reviewed on the 1K × 1K monitor, the diagnosis was missed in 5 of the 149 positive chest cases (3.35 %), in 5 of the 307 positive musculoskeletal cases (1.63 %), and in none of the 42 positive abdominal cases (0 %). In total, we misinterpreted 10 of the 498 positive cases (2.01 %). The miss rate of the 1K × 1K clinicians' review station is low and acceptable for its stated purpose. However, we doubt that it can be used for primary diagnostic purposes.     

医学成像和通讯系统的CORBA设计方案

针对目前医学信息系统的异构带来了彼此之间通讯和信息共享的困难 ,对象管理组 (OMG)制定了CORBAMed软件规范 ,规定了医学信息系统的软件架构 ,定义各种服务的接口。本文尝试将 CORBA应用于医学图像存档和通讯系统 ,提出 CORBA解决方案的 PACS系统模型 ,分析了软件系统的视图层次 ,最后讨论了CORBAMed的相关服务。     

在构建医院PACS时应该注意的一些技术问题

医学图像归档及通信系统（PACS）是医学图像处理领域的研究热点，同时对医院建立放射信息系统、医院信息系统有着十分重要的意义。首先对PACS进行了简单介绍，并详细论述了在构建PACS时，会遇到的各种各样的技术问题，并给出了多种方案及它们的优缺点。最后，对这些问题进行了总结。     

Regression-Based Norms for the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised in Italian population and application in MS patients

Abstract

Objective: The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) is one of the most widely used tests for the assessment of learning and memory in the visual/spatial domain. The aim of this study was to use multiple regression to derive normative data for the use of BVMT-R in an Italian population. Method: We employed a regression-based norms procedure to maximally utilize a relatively small sample while controlling for a variety of demographic factors in addition to age. Additionally, we used these norms to compare the performance of Italian healthy controls with patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), thereby providing evidence of the method’s validity. Results: A total of 200 healthy volunteers and 70 MS patients participated in this study and completed the BVMT-R according to the published procedures. Regression-based norms were generated for the Italian sample and are presented herein. Conclusions: Using these norms, the performance of the MS patients was found to be significantly worse than that of the controls.