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Scene segmentation techniques for the analysis of routine bone marrow smears from acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Automated analysis of lymphoblast cell morphology is being evaluated as a basis for predicting the response to therapy of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A new technique of scene segmentation particularly applicable to the "cluttered" images of cells in routine bone marrow smears is described. Morphologic characteristics of lymphoblasts found in bone marrow smears made at time of diagnosis were measured by an automated, interactive image-processing system using the new scene segmentation technique. These characteristics, on a patient by patient basis, are being compared to remission length and survival data to develop and test new prognostic methods.

Autoanalysis↗

[Postural scintimyelography of the cervical spine (author's transl)].

This study discusses the clinical validity of 101 postural scintimyelograms as a screening method for cervical myelopathy. The RIHSA or Ytterbium isotope-examination are not an extra burden to the patient if the radiopharmacon is introduced into the dural sac following Queckenstedt's test. If there is a normal rise and fall of CSF pressure after bilateral jugular compression and postural scintimyelography is judged normal as well, a cervical subarachnoid obstruction may be excluded. If both examinations yield pathological results an obstructive process in the cervical spinal canal is made certain; and in cases of spondylotic myelopathy a positive contrast myelogrpahy may thus be superfluous. If the results of these two examinations are contradictory then further neuroradiolocal studies are indicated.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗

New approach to interpretation of technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy in detection of acute myocardial infarction: clinical assessment of diagnostic accuracy.

A modified classification for interpreting technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigrams defines the 2+ diffuse pattern of tracer uptake as equlvocal rather than positive for acute myocardial infarction. Results of scintigraphy using this classification were compared with results of standard diagnostic tests for myocardial infarction in 235 patients admitted to a coronary care unit with acute chest pain. Of 81 patients with acute transmural infarction by standard clinical, electrocardiographic and serum enzyme criteria, 76 had a positive, 5 an equivocal and none a negative scintigram. Of 18 with acute nontransmural infarction by standard criteria, 7 had a positive, 9 an equivocal and 2 a negative scintigram. This it was uncommon for a patient with acute myocardial infarction, transmural or nontransmural, to have a definitely negative technetium-99m pyrophosphate study. Ten patients had equivocal evidence of infarction by standard criteria. Of the remaining 126 patients with no evidence of acute myocardial infarction by standard criteria, 87 had a negative, 35 an equivocal and 4 a definitely positive scintigram. Thus the definitely positive scintigraphic pattern was relatively highly specific for acute myocardial infarction. If the 2+ pattern had been considered positive, the specificity of the technique would have been greatly decreased. Computer processing strengthened observer certainty of the visual impression but changed the scintigraphic evaluation in only eight cases. Thus, use of an equivocal pattern renders technetium-99m pyrophosphate imaging both an extremely sensitive and specific method for detecting acute myocardial infarction.

Acute Disease↗

Image processing in pathology.

The present study is an effort to ally biopsies to well defined groups of diseases by means of automatic analysis of liver cell nuclei. The results obtained should support the morphologic differential diagnosis of liver diseases. A total of 78 liver biopsies from patients with obstructive jaundice, chronic hepatitis, acute viral hepatitis or with alcoholic liver injury were investigated. Performing automatic analysis of the microscopic pictures 95% of the equatorial sectioned liver cell nuclei are correctly recognized.

Cell Nucleus↗

Minicomputer enhancement of scintillation camera images using fast Fourier transform techniques.

Minicomputer methods were developed to enhance lesions in scintillation camera images. This study was directed towards improving the diagnostic quality of liver images. A PDP-12 digital computer was interfaced to a Pho/Gamma HP III scintillation camera and programmed to carry out two-dimensional frequency-domain analysis and processing as an on-line operation. A two-dimensional frequency spectrum is produced. An interactive program allows the operator to construct graphically a frequency-domain filter and apply it to the data matrix. The filter is optimized using the image of a known phantom and then applied unchanged to the clincial liver image. An inverse Fourier transform produces an enhances image in the spatial domain. Significant enhancement of both phantom and liver images has been obtained.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗

Scintillation camera studies of isotope flow in arteriovenous malformations.

A significant proportion of arteriovenous malformations are still undetected on conventional brain scans. Dynamic scintillation camera studies have shown a pronounced and rapid isotope accumulation in these structures. By means of data processed flow studies, one can distinctly select the inflow phase etc., display TV pictures in optimal phase, and make quantitative comparisons. Thereby, one can obtain a very probable diagnosis, even when the AVM is small or has the characteristics of a fistula which is not seen on routine scans. As the method is simple and not time consuming, it is well suited for clinical screening.

Aged↗

Experimental infarct sizing using computer processing and a three-dimensional model.

A method for noninvasive sizing of myocardial infarction, in which data from technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate scintigrams and a three-dimensional model were used, was tested on experimental, acute anterior infarcts in dogs. The results indicate that the method does size experimental anterior infarcts accurately, but further testing will be necessary to assess the capabilities of the technique for sizing other types of infarcts.

Animals↗

A discussion of two wavefront aberration correction procedures.

This review paper discusses the basic properties of two adaptive signal processing procedures for dealing with weak scattering in a phased array transducer system. A fundamental improvement in the lateral resolution of ultrasonic echo scanners will result if the weight vector of a large phased array transducer can be modified to account for distortion in the propagation medium. Lateral resolution in most tissue is limited to a few mm by wavefront-distortion-induced sound-speed variations. One important wavefront-distortion source is scattering from local speed variations within large and reasonably homogeneous tissue beds such as the liver. Scattering disperses some energy from the beam and perturbs the wavefront, thereby distorting the image and limiting the resolution to the scale of the distortion. Often, such scattering is weak, meaning that most of the energy in the beam is unscattered. The total field at the receiving transducer is the vector sum of the unscattered and scattered fields. In weak scattering the unscattered field is dominant and the resultant field can be treated as the unscattered field plus a perturbation. The net effect is primarily a distorted phasefront, while the amplitude or modulus of the wavefront remains reasonably intact. Refraction and strong scattering effect the wavefront more severely and are less responsive to these algorithms.

Algorithms↗

An automated method of differential red blood cell classification with application to the diagnosis of anemia.

A method of automated red cell analysis suitable for the rapid classification of large numbers of red cells from individual blood specimens has been developed, and preliminarily tested on normal bloods and clinically proven cases of anemias and red cell disorders. According to this method digital image processing techniques provide several features relating to shape and internal central pallor configurations of red cells. These features are used with a fully automated decision logic to rapidly provide a quantitative "red cell differential" analysis, a report of the percentage subpopulations of recognized categories of red cells. For each subpopulation, measurements of mean cell area, mean cell hemoglobin content and mean cell hemoglobin density are provided. The nine types of red cell disorders studied with this method were: (a) iron deficiency anemia, (b) the anemia of chronic disease, (c) beta-thalassemia trait, (d) sickle cell anemia, (e) hemoglobin C disease, (f) intravascular hemolysis, (g) hereditary elliptocytosis, (h) hereditary spherocytosis, and (i) megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency. Preliminary indications are that the red cell differential is useful in distinguishing between these conditions.

Anemia↗

[Electroencephalographic findings in dementia diseases].

Even if generally the EEG cannot yield specific pointers that are typical for a special pattern of dementia, it is nevertheless meaningful and helpful to perform routine EEG in demented patients. EEG is the functional additional examination that does not place any stress on the patient and is easy to perform at a low cost (1). As a functional diagram the EEG reflects the electrical processes taking place in the cerebral cortex, yielding an excellent image of the cerebral functional state. Assessment of the EEG is done in accordance with internationally standardised criteria. Particular attention is directed at a slowing-down of the background activity, the occurrence and extent of scattered theta and delta waves, their topographical distribution and the development of pathological EEG characteristics during recording (44). Update spectral analysis EEG procedures, i.g. the possibility to calculate power spectra for the individual EEG frequency bands and their topographic distribution, it may be possible in the near future to further improve differentiation between normal and pathological EEG findings. The functional dynamic aspect of the EEG is its particularly strong point in the differential diagnostic clarification of dementia patterns. By repeated EEG recordings, i.e. by close follow-up, and by relating the electrophysiological findings to the clinical pattern, reliable pointers are obtained for the extent of the activity of the process underlying the dementia pattern. EEG is predestined like no other method to enable early detection of rapid changes in cerebral function thanks to its easy operation and unlimited repeatability. The occurrence of parenrhythmic theta and delta waves in the EEG reflects in a special manner the acuity of an organic basic process. In this way EEG enables differentiation between acute and chronic processes of cerebral damage. Over and above this, correlation with the relevant clinical findings makes it possible to differentiate between reversible states of dementia and irreversible defect syndromes and hence also to point to the long-term outcome. Finally, the occurrence of certain patterns of findings or the identification of characteristic wave forms allows essential differential diagnostic pointers and definitions.

Aged↗

Fully automatic computer-assisted pancreas imaging.

Good pancreas imaging is difficult to achieve even if a computer is applied. The special computer program proposed here was developed to optimize the results and to minimize the operator interaction with the data processing system.

Computers↗

The role of the digital computer in pediatric cardiology.

A digital computer system is described which allows the real-time processing of all physiological signals obtained during a heart catheterization procedure and which makes all relevant results and informations available immediately during the investigation. In addition, special electronic units and programs have been developed in our institution for the automated extraction of morphological criteria from biplane angiocardiograms. Thereby right and left ventricular volume, shape and contraction pattern can be quantitated and used to characterize the performance of the heart as muscle and pump in physical terms. Recently, complete digital processing of videoangiocardiograms has been achieved in a stroboscopic mode, each videofield in real time. Application of image enhancement, subtraction, integration and restoration techniques leads to a fundamentally improved angiocardiographic image quality for a given amount of injected contrast material. Based on eight years of experience with digital computer application in pediatric cardiology, computer technologies are considered likely to become the method of choice in the future.

Angiocardiography↗

Review of neural network applications in medical imaging and signal processing.

The current applications of neural networks to in vivo medical imaging and signal processing are reviewed. As is evident from the literature neural networks have already been used for a wide variety of tasks within medicine. As this trend is expected to continue this review contains a description of recent studies to provide an appreciation of the problems associated with implementing neural networks for medical imaging and signal processing.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

133Xe regional lung perfusion and ventilation study with the computer-assisted gamma-camera.

A new method of studying regional lung functions using 133Xe and the computer-assisted scintillation camera is described. The method and the computer processing give details of the distribution of 133Xe during perfusion and ventilation and also measures of lung function. Some cases are described in detail, and the clinical significance of the method was confirmed in 45 cases.

Adult↗

A general purpose computerized display and analysis system for image processing in nuclear medicine.

In this work a general purpose image processor is described, which takes into account the special features and the various requirements for analysing images in nuclear medicine. A new approach for system structure involving encoding and representing medical images is given. This encoder, which is part of the image processor, is efficient especially for long-term storage and for certain pattern recognition in medical imaging. In this processor a statistical package is incorporated for collecting medical statistics using the acquired patient data. This information is used together with the encoder for an automated diagnostic system.

Computers↗

Quantitative colour-ultrasonography by means of a computer aided simultaneous tomogram.

In this newly developed method, the ultrasonic diagnosis has become quantitative. The data will remain quantitative so far as an image storage tube is used. With the conventional storage type CRT, it is impossible to memorize the reflected echo signals of different strength levels. But with our method, it becomes possible to memorize the images according to individual levels. By the direct digitalization of the ultrasonic echo images, more information is obtained from the reflected echo signals. By processing the original information with a computer, more accurate diagnosis is possible. It is hoped and believed, that this computer aided ultrasonic examination, with single scan display in colour or black and white, will further promote ultrasonic diagnosis in future.

Color↗

Monitoring of patients with head injuries.

A practical protocol for evaluating and monitoring head injured patients has been presented. It has been stressed that monitoring is an ongoing process which begins with the initial evaluation and continues throughout the patient's hospital stay. The level of monitoring and thus the parameters to be monitored are determined on an individualized basis according to the patient's clinical status and his level of stupor and coma. It has been suggested that for mild head injuries, adequate monitoring includes periodic evaluation of the neurological status and vital signs; but the more severely injured patients require extensive and frequent monitoring of a large number of clinical and physiological parameters. Among the many parameters, the continuous monitoring of ICP and the respiratory system are perhaps the most useful indicators of the patient's condition. Several methods for continuous ICP monitoring which are readily adaptable to most neurosurgical practices have been discussed. These include the intraventricular catheter, subarachnoid screw, and the closed Rickham reservoir connected to a ventricular catheter. In our institution, the Rickham reservoir has been used to monitor ICP and at the time of this report, satisfactory ICP recordings have been obtained in 27 of 30 head injury patients. Although this method requires a small surgical procedure, we believe that the decreased incidence of infection, the rapid access to ventricular fluid, and its potential for long term monitoring justify its use. Suggestions for monitoring other physiological parameters have also been presented. Particular emphasis has been placed on the management of infants and children with head injuries. The clinical entity of chronic subdural hematoma in infants and children has been used to illustrate the value of ICP monitoring as a guide to further treatment. Finally, we have briefly discussed the place of computers in day to day patient care, research, and monitoring.

Blood Pressure↗