K. M. Wills

Evaluation of computer advisor in the interpretation of CT images of the head

SummaryThis paper describes the evaluation of a computer advisor system (BRAINS), which was constructed to aid in the interpretation of CT images of the head. It was developed at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London. The system was transferred, without difficulty, to an ‘external’, that is previously unassociated, site (the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Manchester) for an external evaluation. Response of external users to the system was mixed. Many were unfamiliar with the concept of formal description of images and the evaluation demonstrated the need for a person to person training programme. Users who accessed the HELP facilities most frequently were the most successful in obtaining accurate descriptions and hence satisfactory diagnostic advice. An objective appraisal of users success in describing images to obtain the correct diagnosis as first choice indicated that, in general, the system performed well.

Brains — a computer advisor system to aid in CT scan interpretation and cerebral disease diagnosis

SummaryThis paper describes a prototype system to aid in the radiological interpretation of CT scan images of patients with cerebral disease. The system is able to provide guidance, both on diagnosis and the need for enhancement.

Towards an advisor for MRI

SummaryThis paper discusses the role of a computer advisor in MR image acquisition, interpretation and the diagnosis of cerebral disease. The development of an image and statistical database for use in providing advice is described.

An expert system for the medical diagnosis of brain tumours

This paper describes the current state of a project to establish an expert system for the diagnosis of brain tumours. Expert systems for the diagnosis of diseases have proved their worth in various specialist fields (notably jaundice and abdominal pain). The basis of this system is a data base consisting of coded Computer Tomography (CT) scans of patients with known disease. For the diagnosis of a new patient the CT scan is coded and used in conjunction with the data base. The current system is a prototype which has been developed on a microprocessor system and is being evaluated against the expert radiologist for diagnostic accuracy.

The Development and Assessment of a Computer Aid for Use in the Diagnosis of Cerebral Disease

This paper describes the design and development of a computer aid for use in the diagnosis of cerebral disease from CT images. The reasons for the choice of this particular application domain are first discussed, followed by a brief analysis of the techniques available for implementing such a diagnostic computer aid. A description of the system itself is then presented followed by our proposed evaluation procedures.

Computer aid in the interpretation of CT images of the head

This paper describes the authors’ experience in designing and constructing a statistically based computer advisor for CT. The modular PC system gives rapid access to statistical information, expert knowledge, textual explanations and reference diagrams and may offer considerable training benefits in radiology.