The past, present, and future of comparative effectiveness research in the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

A particular challenge for the healthcare provider and the patient is to choose among competing therapeutic approaches for a particular condition. Often, the relative benefits and risks of potential therapies are not uniformly available from the existing scientific information. Many have pointed to the need for more comparative effectiveness research (CER) to aide in these decisions.

Quantitative imaging in late TBI. Part II: cognition and work after closed and penetrating head injury: a report of the Vietnam head injury study.

Context: Functional outcome in relation to CT findings in traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients is not well established in relation to cognitive and vocational outcome.

Objective: To investigate the possible correlation between relatively simple quantitative radiological measurements and cognitive and vocational outcome.

Design: Retrospective analysis of quantitative assessment of CT studies in relation to post-injury cognitive changes and vocational outcome.

Quantitive imaging in late traumatic brain injury. Part I: late imaging parameters in closed and penetrating head injuries.

Objective: To ascertain the value of relatively simple quantitative radiologic measurements after head injury. Despite major advances in neuroradiology, analysis and reporting of imaging studies is based primarily on individual subjective and local experience, rather than on reproducible, standardized parameters; reliance on newer technologies can improve care, but also raises diagnostic costs.

Design: Blinded, retrospective, quantitative assessment of computerized tomography studies done some 14 years post-injury.