PURPOSE To investigate the appearance of limbal and bulbar hyperaemia in normal eyes, their relationship and the inter-observer agreement of clinical grading. METHODS The right eyes of 120 healthy, non-contact lens-wearing subjects (m = 57, f = 63, median age = 45 years, range 18-77 years) were examined by two trained observers. Limbal and bulbar hyperaemia were scored using the Cornea and Co...

BACKGROUND Most people experience back pain at some point during their lives. Reports suggest that core stability interventions in subjects with non-specific low-back pain may increase function, thus decreasing pain. Reliable and validated clinical tests are required for implementing adequate rehabilitation and for evaluating such interventions. OBJECTIVE This systematic literature overview s...

The objective of the study was to assess the measurement properties of an indirect volumetric measurement using segmental circumferential measurements fitted into a formula of a truncated cone (Sitzia's method) in long-term transtibial amputees. Twenty-eight participants with a transtibial amputation >1 year participated in the study. Two observers measured stump volume twice, two weeks apart, ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe and classify the varied ultrasound features of tendinous involvement in relation to tophi in chronic tophaceous gout so that they are better recognised. METHODS: Ultrasound images of 138 affected areas from 31 patients with chronic tophaceous gout were analysed using high-quality broadband linear transducers. The relationship between tendon and tophi was classified, and ...

BACKGROUND This study was designed to measure inter-observer variation between thoracic radiologists in the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and to identify areas of difficulty where expertise, in the form of national panels, would be of particular value. METHODS HRCT images of 131 patients with DPLD (from a tertiary referra...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Symptom reflux association analysis is especially helpful for evaluation and management of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) re-fractory patients. An accurate calculation requires manual editing of 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) tracings after automatic analysis. Intra- and inter-observer agreement as well as reliability of rapid editing confined to the time a...

OBJECTIVE To determine the inter-observer agreement on triage assignment by first-time users with diverse training and background using the Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). METHODS Twenty emergency care providers (5 physicians, 5 nurses, 5 Basic Life Support paramedics and 5 Advanced Life Support paramedics) at a large urban teaching hospital participated in the s...

background: radiographic examination of tmj is indicated when there are clinical signs of pathological conditions, mainly bone changes that may influence the diagnosis and treatment planning. the purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the validity and diagnostic accuracy of uncorrected and corrected sagittal tomographic images in the detection of simulated mandibular condyle erosi...

conclusion no significant differences were found among observers or voxel sizes, with high az results reported for all groups. results no significant differences were found among observers or voxel sizes, with high average z (az) results being reported for all groups. both intra- and inter-observer agreement values were relatively better for 3d accuitomo 170 images than the images from newtom 3...

AIMS Although the coronary artery vessel wall can be imaged non-invasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the in vivo reproducibility of wall thickness measures has not been previously investigated. Using a refined magnetization preparation scheme, we sought to assess the reproducibility of three-dimensional (3D) free-breathing black-blood coronary MRI in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS MR...