PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Bowie

Publications and source records attributed to J Bowie.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Value of new diagnostic aids in relation to the disease process in pancreatic cancer.

An assessment was made of the diagnostic value of six tests done on 28 patients who proved to have resectable and 45 patients who had non-resectable pancreatic cancer. Ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were the most sensitive tests for the diagnosis of resectable tumours. Ultrasonography was slightly, and cytology definitely, better for the diagnosis of resectable tumours than for the diagnosis of non-resectable tumours. Computerised tomography, angiography, and scintigraphy were not effective means of diagnosing resectable tumours. The differences in diagnostic sensitivities of the tests for resectable and non-resectable disease are probably due to variations in pathological features which influence not only the stage of presentation, but also the detectability of the tumour. As long as investigation is limited to patients with symptoms, a large proportion of tumours will not be diagnosed at a resectable stage. However, the results of this study suggest that the resectability rate may be maximised by the early use of ultrasonography in patients with symptoms suggesting cancer in the region of the head of the pancreas, and in patients with vague, non-specific complaints. A combination of ERCP and direct ductal aspiration for cytology is the best means of diagnosing resectable tumours.

Angiography↗
PubMed1979

Ultrasonography and tumor-associated antigens. The concept of combining noninvasive tests in the screening for pancreatic cancer.

A total of 134 patients suspected of having pancreatic cancer were given preoperative ultrasonic examinations. A total of 54 cases had a final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer histologically confirmed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasonographies were 76% and 91% or 87% and 74%, depending on whether doubtful results were called abnormal or normal. "Doubtful" results were defined as those that stated that pancreatic cancer was "possible" or "could not be excluded." When these results were divided into abnormal and normal groups on the basis of the patients' preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen and pancreatic oncofetal antigen levels, the sensitivity and specificity of the combined tests may prove to be a more accurate means of screening patients for pancreatic cancer than ultrasonography alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1978

Prospective evaluation of gray scale ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pancreas cancer.

One hundred thirty-four patients suspected of having pancreas cancer successfully underwent gray scale ultrasound examination of the pancreas. The prospective ultrasound findings were correlated with the final diagnoses, laparotomy findings, and pathology findings. Fifty-four patients had pancreas cancer, confirmed by resection or biopsy in all cases. On ultrasonography, the pancreas was correctly reported to have abnormalities in sixty-one of seventy-eight patients (78 per cent) and correctly reported to have no abnornalities in thirty-eight of fifty-six patients (68 per cent). A correct ultrasound diagnosis of pancreas cancer was made for forty-four of fifty-six patients (81 per cent), and there were thirteen false-positive reports. Ninety-four percent of cancers confined to the head of the pancreas and 70 per cent of cancers at other locations within the gland were detected by ultrasound examination. The correct ultrasound diagnosis was given for fifteen of seventeen patients with resectable pancreas cancer, the degree of associated pancreatitis ranging from minimal to severe. Analysis of the predictive values of positive and negative ultrasound examinations suggests that this test could be used to screen a population of patients with symptoms mildly suggestive of pancreas cancer. The importance of preselecting the level of confidence of a positive test result, a,ove which further investigation is indicated, is emphasized.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1976

MUMPS--an economical and efficient time-sharing system for information management.

MUMPS, the Massachusetts General Hospital Utility MultiProgramming System, is a compact time-sharing system for information management. This paper discusses the historical development of MUMPS and describes the basic modules found in its implementation. Detailed descriptions of the time-sharing executive, MUMPS language interpreter, input/output file system, and global data base are given, emphasizing their integration into an easy-to-use yet powerful system for application program design, development and maintenance.

Computers↗
PubMed1976

Comparative value of four methods of investigating the pancreas.

In a prospective study for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, ultrasonography, radionuclide scanning, selective arteriography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were compared. Eighty-nine consecutive patients were investigated; 58 underwent laparotomy, and 36 were found to have periampullary cancer; seven had other malignant tumors within the abdomen, and nine had pancreatitis on biopsy. Five had other benign disease, and there was one negative laparotomy. Thirty-one patients who did not have laparotomy have shown no evidence of cancer at one year follow-up. Ultrasonography was found to be more reliable than scan or arteriography in the detection and diagnosis of a mass in the pancreas. ERCP achieved the highest rate of correct definitive diagnosis.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Methods of implementation of the MUMPS global data-base.

Recent standardization of the MUMPS language (ANSI X11.1-1977) has resulted in increased investigations into its efficient implementation. Of particular concern is the method of implementation of the MUMPS hierarchical data file, or global. Two implementation techniques have found substantial support: a traditional technique utilizing linked physical blocks, and a more recent, self-indexing method based on the theory of balanced trees. Comparison of these methods shows that the balanced-tree implementation offers significant advantages in most MUMPS environments.

Computers↗