Joseph G. Hennessey

Abnormal cerebral cortex structure in children with ADHD

Examination of cerebral cortical structure in children with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has thus far been principally limited to volume measures. In the current study, an automated surface‐based analysis technique was used to examine the ADHD‐associated differences in additional morphologic features of cerebral cortical gray matter structure, including surface area, thickness, and cortical folding.

Development of a computer-assisted instructional tool for evaluation and treatment of renal masses. An experiment in hypermedia.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.Using a personal computer and a commercially available “authoring” application, the authors constructed an interactive hypermedia teaching tool for the evaluation and management of renal masses. METHODS AND RESULTS.Through a series of questions, images, illustrations, hypertext, and graphical flow charts, the user reviews the spectrum of renal masses, including neoplasms, inflammatory disease, cysts, and “pseudomasses.” The various imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT], ultrasound [US], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and angiography) are illustrated, with selective advantages and disadvantages to each technique highlighted. Selected algorithms for evaluation and treatment of masses are provided. Text, questions, a teaching file, and algorithms form the major sections of the program. Numerous links within and between the major sections of the program, a capacity unique to hypermedia, allow for nonlinear entry into the program, tailored to the individual user. CONCLUSIONS.Preliminarily, medical students and residents have responded positively to this hypermedia project. Furthermore, their comments and criticism have provided important feedback for future updates and enhancements.

Digital Video Applications in Radiologic Education: Theory, Technique, and Applications

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has great potential in medical education. The recent explosion of multimedia platforms provides an environment for the seemless integration of text, images, and sound into a single program. This article discusses the role of digital video in the current educational environment as well as its future potential. An indepth review of the technical decisions of this new technology is also presented.

Data base management in radiology: A simplified approach

The increasing availability of personal and departmental computers in radiology departments has led to increasing interest in data management. Data base management software must be system compatible, simple, and flexible to insure its acceptance and constant use. Once in place, such a system streamlines the daily documentation of interesting cases for conference, follow-up, research, and quality assurance. The authors have developed such a data base program for tracking computed body tomography cases in their department, which can be run as a portable computer to maximize ease of access and therefore usage.

The use of graphic design in an interactive computer teaching program

The widespread diffusion of affordable computers into the scientific and educational community has provided the opportunity to design medical and scientific teaching programs illustrated either by hand or by utilizing commercially available software and manipulating existing computer generated images. The medical illustrator can provide the ideal aesthetic link between text format information and the visual representation of such knowledge in a concise presentation format. The availability of interactive multimedia programs has given the medical illustrator an environment to create and enhance Hypermedia designed specifically for the parpose of medical education. This paper will focus on the incorporation of illustration and screen design into “CT The Came,” an experimental medical teaching program currently being developed in the Johns Hopkins Body CT Imaging Laboratory. The program is designed to provide an enjoyable approach to learning Computed Tomography (CT), and is directed toward an audience of medical students, residents, and fellows.