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Biomedical subjects

B B Hobbs

Publications and source records attributed to B B Hobbs.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Need for radiologists to interpret orthopedic total joint radiographs.

We applaud the aim of Nayak and colleagues: to use our scarce economic resources as judiciously as possible. We have suggested several alternatives that would save more of our scarce health care dollars. We would be delighted to take part in a properly designed prospective randomized trial to address the issues presented in this paper. We believe the literature would be strengthened by the publication of a collegial paper, coauthored by orthopedic and radiology departments, addressing the issue of saving health care dollars by omitting unnecessary or redundant procedures.

Canada↗
PubMed1989

Digital teleradiology: Seaforth--London network.

A total digital teleradiology system using a prototype DuPont laser beam scanner (DTR 2000) and a Bell Canada digital transmission network was evaluated. A total of 489 radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were transmitted for interpretation from a 41-bed rural community hospital in Seaforth to the University Hospital in London, Ontario, 80 km away. There was concurrence in 98% of these examinations, i.e. the laser-sensitive facsimile film clearly duplicated the original film findings and allowed a confident interpretation to be made. We conclude that this system could readily serve the needs of family physicians in rural communities for radiologic consultation, diagnosis, management, and triage of patients 24 hours per day.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1989

Contrast use: waste not--want not.

Efficient use of low-osmolar contrast media is essential, owing to their cost and increasing substitution for conventional agents. A study was undertaken in three radiology departments to examine use of intravascular contrast media. Over a one-month period in the summer of 1987, the amount of intravascular contrast medium used and discarded was measured in one community hospital and two university-affiliated hospitals in southwestern Ontario. The major part of the waste occurred in the angiography suite, while minimal wastage was recorded in computed tomography. Much less contrast was wasted in the community hospital than in the teaching hospitals. Thirteen percent of all contrast material used by the three hospitals was discarded. Some wastage appears inevitable. Multidose dispensing systems as well as variety in bottle sizes have been proposed to reduce waste. Individual departments need to be aware of the problem and analyze their own patterns of contrast use.

Angiography↗
PubMed1987

Low osmolar contrast media--a challenge for cardiology.

Low osmolar contrast media have been available in Canada for several years. Their introduction has lead to considerable controversy because of the substantive increase in costs compared to conventional ionic media. This increased cost is in the order of 13 times per gram of iodine. There is extensive scrutiny by both the medical profession and Government because of this added cost, estimated to be +17 million annually for cardiology. A challenge is presented to Canadian cardiology to help solve this problem.

Canada↗
PubMed1986

A new system for quantitative arterial imaging and blood flow measurements.

A new x-ray imaging system is being developed for quantitative arterial imaging and blood flow measurements. The system consists of an x-ray image intensifier optically coupled with a 1024-element photo-diode detector array. Low-noise, quantitative images are obtained by irradiating small regions of interest to minimize the detection of scattered radiation and intensifier tube veiling glare, and by making use of the large dynamic range (8000:1) and response linearity of the solid-state photo-detector. In the first of two modes of operation, low-noise scanned projection images are produced. Stenosis size (reduction of lumen area) in phantoms is determined with a maximum uncertainty of 10% over a range of iodine contrast agent concentrations of 4 to 100 mg/ml in a 1.0 cm2 cross-sectional area tube, independent of stenosis orientation and size. In the second mode, flow information is obtained by detecting the movement of a small, locally injected iodine bolus. Peak flow velocity and locations of flow separation and turbulence resulting from simulated stenoses are determined with stenosis sizes ranging from 0 to 84% area reduction.

Angiography↗
PubMed1984

Dose and quality control (DQC) in diagnostic radiology.

Dose and quality control in diagnostic radiology can play an important role in reducing x-ray exposure and costs whilst maintaining a high level of imaging quality and diagnostic benefit. It can also become very costly. Current government regulations demand unnecessary accuracy in the measurement and performance of certain parameters of x-ray generators whilst ignoring others which are more important. They totally neglect imaging systems. We urge a more critical approach to the requirements for dose and quality control programs. We propose the exchange of information through a user's club and a less regulatory but equally important role for government.

Calibration↗
PubMed1982

Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of the renal artery: follow-up studies on renovascular hypertension.

Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of 80 renal artery stenoses was attempted in 68 patients. The procedure was technically successful in 58 (85%) patients. Fifty (86%) of the 58 patients were initially cured or improved. Life-table analysis of this group gives a cumulative success rate of 81% for a 3 year period. Hypertension recurred in only seven patients. There were no deaths related to the procedure, but four major complications occurred, including two secondary nephrectomies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Intermittent percutaneous infusion into the hepatic artery of cytotoxic drugs for hepatic tumours.

Between June 1, 1976 and Apr. 30, 1981, 157 patients were treated for inoperable cancer of the liver by intermittent percutaneous infusion of chemotherapeutic agents into the hepatic artery. The majority of these patients had metastatic colorectal cancer. The regimen of chemotherapeutic infusion evolved during the study and is described. The survival of the total group of patients is analysed according to type of cancer, extent of disease, dosage and combination of drugs. This therapeutic modality appears to benefit patients with metastases from colorectal cancer confined to the liver. The complication rate for this procedure is relatively low. The results from this study suggest that intermittent percutaneous infusion of cytotoxic agents into the hepatic artery is worthwhile for selected patients and should be studied further in combination with other forms of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Adverse reactions to intravenous contrast agents in Ontario, 1975 - 1979.

A retrospective study of severe adverse reactions to intravenous contrast agents used for intravenous pyelography and enhanced CT scans is reported. There was no difference between large and small hospitals in the incidence and management of serious reactions to these agents. In spite of 81 cardiac or respiratory arrests during over 450,000 intravenous urograms in Ontario, only five deaths occurred.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1978

Reduction of patient exposure by use of heavy elements as radiation filters in diagnostic radiology.

The effect on patient exposure of x-ray filters made of heavy elements has been studied in excretory urography and lumbar spine examinations. Several elements with atomic numbers between 62 and 74 were tested in experiments using radiographic phantoms and in patient studies. A holmium filter reduced skin exposure by more than 50% in excretory urography. Similar results were obtained with ytterbium and tungsten in lumbar spine studies.

Aluminum↗