A randomized trial comparing conventional cytology to liquid-based cytology and computer assistance.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) has replaced conventional cytology (CC) for cervical cancer screening in some countries. However, it remains unclear whether LBC is superior to CC. A randomized controlled trial was conducted between August 2007 and March 2009 in Germany to compare LBC, alone and in combination with computer-assisted imaging technology (CAS), to CC in the detection of histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Hospitalizations for back and neck problems: a comparison between the Province of Ontario and Washington State.

Objective: To examine back and neck hospitalizations in the Province of Ontario and Washington State. Because of their different organization and financing, there has been considerable interest in comparing healthcare systems in Canada and the United States. Features of healthcare systems might be expected to result in greater variations in care for elective than urgent conditions.

5-year reoperation rates after different types of lumbar spine surgery.

Study Design: Population-based cohort study of Washington State patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery for degenerative conditions in 1988.

Objectives: To compare complications and reoperation rates during the 5-year period after surgery between patients who have undergone lumbar spine fusion surgery and those who have undergone laminectomy or discectomy alone.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal fusion is associated with wider surgical exposure, more extensive dissection, and longer operative times than lumbar surgery without fusion, and previous studies have shown higher complication rates and hospital charges associated with these more complex procedures.

Trends in hospital use for mechanical neck and back problems in Ontario and the United States: discretionary care in different health care systems.

Objective: To describe and compare trends in hospital admission rates for mechanical neck and back problems between 1982 and 1992 in Ontario and the United States.

Design: A descriptive analysis of hospital admissions, with data for Ontario extracted from the Canadian Institute for Health Information database and data for the US extracted from the National Hospital Discharge Survey.

Setting: All acute care hospitals in Ontario and a probability sample of acute care hospitals in the US.