David O. Johnston

Selective, Highly Selective, or Truncal Vagotomy?: In 1976—A Clinical Appraisal

There is now much evidence that the antrum, pylorus, and duodenum can be left completely intact in the course of operations for peptic ulcer, and that vagal denervation can be confined to the acid-secreting part of the stomach. If that is true, it follows that peptic ulcers can be cured with less risk to life, fewer side effects, and fewer long-term metabolic sequelae than was ever possible in the past.

The Intravenous Cholangiographic Diagnosis of Partial Obstruction of the Common Bile Duct

IN AN ATTEMPT to evaluate the role of intravenous cholangiography in the diagnosis of partial obstruction of the common bile duct, to determine the relationship of common duct size to partial obstructions of the duct, and to establish criteria for roentgenographic diagnosis, we have reviewed our experiences of the past two and one-half years. Since a significant number of postcholecystectomy patients either exhibit the same symptoms as before operation or develop new symptoms, the problem is worthy of attention. The implications are: (a) that the gallbladder disease was not responsible for the precholecystectomy complaints, (b) that the surgical procedure was incomplete and should have gone beyond simple removal of the gallbladder and at times beyond removal of common duct calculi, or (c) that mechanical or inflammatory injury to the common bile duct may have taken place at the time of or shortly after cholecystectomy. Walters (1) in 1956, was of the opinion that the most frequent causes of pain after cho...

Field Shaping and Selective Protection in Megavolt Radiation Therapy

The availability of intense sources of megavolt radiation makes possible the treatment of regional as well as localized disease with more adequate doses. These new capabilities are often best exploited by the use of large treatment fields, carefully shaped to include known tumor and local extensions and to exclude uninvolved regions. This procedure results in a more uniform dose distribution and reduces the problems of overlap inherent in the multiple field approach. Field shaping, or field outline control, is accomplished by interposing sufficient thickness of absorbing material into the beam cross section. In addition, the beam may be intensity-modulated by filters to adjust for variations in the anatomical thickness. In our megavolt x-ray equipment a light-beam localizer is used to facilitate the placing of such absorbers and filters. Double-exposure radiographs are taken to confirm and record the field location and the position of these absorbers. Fields of typical shape used in both rotational and op...

Editorial: Robert Edward Wise, M.D. President, Radiological Society of North America.

The Radiological Society of North America has recently elected Robert E. Wise as its president, a man who has devoted tremendous time, thought and leadership to his chosen field of radiology. For many years he has dealt with the problems confronting the practice of radiology, and medicine in general, aggressively and with logic, determination, and diplomacy. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1918, Dr. Wise earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1941, and received his M.D. degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1943. Following his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. (1943–1944), he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy Medical Corps. He served in the Pacific, and during this time received his basic training in radiology. Following his resignation from the Navy in 1947, he completed his training with a Fellowship in Radiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1947–1949. For the next three years Dr. Wise rem...

Robert Edward Wise, M.D

The Radiological Society of North America has recently elected Robert E. Wise as its president, a man who has devoted tremendous time, thought and leadership to his chosen field of radiology. For many years he has dealt with the problems confronting the practice of radiology, and medicine in general, aggressively and with logic, determination, and diplomacy. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1918, Dr. Wise earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1941, and received his M.D. degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1943. Following his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. (1943–1944), he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy Medical Corps. He served in the Pacific, and during this time received his basic training in radiology. Following his resignation from the Navy in 1947, he completed his training with a Fellowship in Radiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1947–1949. For the next three years Dr. Wise rem...