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D Sashin

Publications and source records attributed to D Sashin.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Primary CT diagnosis of abdominal masses in a PACS environment.

Whether the display medium--film versus cathode ray tube (CRT)--affects observer performance during interpretation of computed tomographic (CT) images is an important research issue in these times of implementation and growth of picture archiving and communications systems in radiology. The authors performed a multiobserver receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study to determine the performance of radiologists who read abdominal CT studies displayed on film, as well as on a high-resolution workstation (video monitor) that made use of three different display modes. A total of 166 examinations were evaluated by eight radiologists, who recorded their ordinal confidence ratings of the demonstration of presence or absence of abdominal masses. ROC analysis showed small differences in the confidence ratings assigned by individual readers for the detection and interpretation tasks. Results for the group as a whole showed no significant reduction or improvement in observer performance when ratings for any one of the workstation display modes were analyzed. The results of this study demonstrate that current CRT display technology is adequate for enabling the primary detection of abdominal masses with CT examinations.

Abdominal Neoplasms

The effect of grip strength on radial bone in postmenopausal women.

This communication explores the correlation in 255 postmenopausal women of grip strength to bone tissue density (BTD) and cross-sectional area (CSArea) of the radius. While grip strength correlated cross-sectionally with the baseline measures of both BTD and CSArea, grip strength affected differentially the changes that transpired in the two bone parameters over the 3 years of the study. Thus, the increases in the CSArea of the radius were significantly enhanced by higher grip strength, while BTD losses were not. Since the power of muscle contraction is a factor in the mechanical loading of a bone, it is argued that the differential effects of grip strength on the two bone parameters of the radius suggest that moderate loading can effect favorable changes in the geometry of the bone, without necessarily affecting changes in BTD.

Aged

Endogenous estrogen levels and calcium intakes in postmenopausal women. Relationships with cortical bone measures.

To examine the interactions between hormone levels and calcium with cortical bone, we have attempted to combine risk factors for the development of peak skeletal mass with factors that may be related to the maintenance of bone integrity after menopause. A total of 174 postmenopausal women participated in our study. There was little relationship found between androgen hormones and radial bone density. Estrone levels were independently related to radial bone density. Examination of the relationship of calcium intake to bone revealed a protective effect solely in women who reported high "lifetime" calcium intakes. Taking calcium and estrone together revealed an additive relationship between the two factors, in that women with high estrone and high calcium levels had significantly greater bone density than women with less calcium and/or estrone. The results suggest that a lifetime of adequate calcium intake coupled with adequate levels of serum estrogens could maximize bone density after menopause.

Age Factors

The effects of walking on the cross-sectional dimensions of the radius in postmenopausal women.

This report deals with the analysis of data from a 3-year clinical trial on the effect of walking on postmenopausal bone loss. Two hundred fifty-five women, with an average age of 57 at entry, were randomized into two groups, a walking and a control group. Bone measures in the shaft of the radius were carried out with a CT scanner in search of generalized skeletal effects rather than effects localized to the bones of the leg. Although bone density losses were comparable in the two randomized groups, changes in the cross-sectional area of the radius were significantly greater in the walkers with high grip strength (greater than 25 Kg) than in the controls with comparable high grip strength which corresponded to the upper half range of the grip-strength distribution. It is concluded that the moderate activity of walking exerted systemically positive effects on the radius which, within the protocol of the study, could be substantiated only when synergized with inherent muscle strength.

Female

The relationship of endogenous estrogen to bone density and bone area in normal postmenopausal women.

The relationship of endogenous concentrations of estrogen, in particular estrone, to the dominant radial bone density and bone area was examined in 78 normal postmenopausal women (mean age 57 years). The women were a subset of a population participating in a clinical trial designed to determine the effects of walking on bone loss. The data reported here were collected at baseline prior to randomization. Radial cortical bone density and bone area were measured at 30 per cent of the distance between the wrist and the elbow in the dominant arm. Estrone levels obtained by extraction and column chromatography were measured by radioimmunoassay. Estrone concentrations were cross-sectionally related to both radial bone density (r = 0.39, p less than 0.001) and bone area (r = 0.39, p less than 0.001). This relationship was independent of age, number of years since onset of menopause, and degree of obesity. In multiple regression analysis, estrone levels accounted for 15 per cent of the variance in bone density and bone area in this population. These results suggest that measurement of estrone in normal postmenopausal women may assist in the identification of women who are at high risk for osteoporosis and, thus, possible candidates for estrogen replacement therapy.

Aged

Diode array digital radiography: initial clinical experience.

Initial clinical results are described for a new method of digital radiography based on high-detail self-scanning linear diode arrays which overcome many of the limitations of present film or other digital methods. The technique uses a fan-shaped x-ray beam to produce a nearly scatter-free image on a phosphor strip that is fiber-optically coupled to six self-scanning arrays of light-sensitive diodes spaced 0.025 mm, thus providing 6,144 discrete sensors across the field of view. Because these diodes have a greatly expanded dynamic range and operate at very low noise, it becomes possible to visualize small density differences or contrast below 1% both in the light and dark areas of the image. Because of the efficiency of detection and display, radiation doses can be reduced for a given information content. Our preliminary clinical studies have shown to broad application of our method in examining the chest and abdomen and in performing intravenous digital arteriography.

Angiography

Evaluation of benefits and risks of breast cancer screening.

Benefit/risk ratios derived by another study group for a population screened at a breast cancer detection center during the first year of operation are analyzed. The authors of the present paper look at the problem in a somewhat different manner. Benefit/risk ratios derived using this approach are significantly lower than those reported in the previous study. The results of the present study indicate that annual mass screening of women under the age of 50 is of questionable value.

Breast Neoplasms

Electronic radiography in neurosurgery.

The authors describe the use of electronic radiography or short-exposure fluoroscopy with concurrent video recording of images in neurosurgery. The technique is applicable to all neurosurgical procedures in which fluoroscopy is used, such as transphenoidal surgery, trigeminal RF rhizolysis, percutaneous cordotomy, etc. With the use of subtraction techniques and intra-operative angiography, vascular maps of the cerebral vascular system can be made that allow the surgeon to puncture or to avoid vascular structures during stereotaxic procedures. Besides a great reduction in radiation exposure, this technique offers new advantages and potential for neurosurgical and neuroradiological interventional procedures.

Cerebral Angiography

An evaluation of a high resolution closed-circuit television link in a hospital radiology department.

We have installed and developed a high resolution closed-circuit television system for transmission of radiographic film images from the emergency room in our hospital to the reading room in our radiology department. Using this system, the radiologist can consult promptly on all films and he has increased efficiency. To transmit high detail images, our television system uses a high resolution vidicon camera with a scan rate of 1029 lines and with a limiting resolution of 1200 TV lines. To further increase the overall diagnostic value of our system, we have added remote controls for changing the magnification, illumination and position of the film. In a preliminary clinical trial, seven radiologists were each shown 27 patient film sets transmitted through the television system and then viewed directly on a conventional view box. An analysis of variance of the accuracy rates in each method showed a statistical difference in methods. Even though the error rate was slightly higher using closed-circuit system, radiologist performance was of acceptable accuracy when considering the advantages of the system. In addition, many of the factors reducing the TV system performance have been eliminated or controlled, and further experiments should reflect an even smaller difference between the two methods.

False Positive Reactions

Digital radiography of the chest by self-scanning linear diode arrays.

Diode array digital radiography DADR is a method of radiographic imaging that combines the advantages of computer technology with self-scanning linear diode arrays. These digital images are superior to those obtained by film in recording and displaying information in the lightest and the darkest areas of the film, resulting in a balanced image of the entire thorax without compromising detail, and at reduced radiation dose. This is a direct result of the wide dynamic range, high contrast sensitivity, fiber optic coupling, small diode size, short exposure time, and rejection of scattered x-rays of the system coupled with digital post-processing enhancement of the image displayed at 1024 X 1024 pixels.

Adult