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Biostatistical Trends in Pediatrics: Implications for the Future
620
BOOK REVIEW
Unusual Contents in Inguinal Hernia Sacs
MISCELLANEOUS Biostatistical Trends in Pediatrics: Implications for the Future
B.
KANZER AND R. F. ROSENBERG, Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York and Department of Radiology, Cornell University Medical College, New York
N. Y. State J. Med., 83: 1055-1056 (July, Aug., Sept.) 1983
G. F. HAYDEN, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia Pediatrics, 72: 84-87 (July) 1983 Because of the exponential rate of growth of medical knowledge, physicians often spend countless hours each month reading journals to "keep current". To gain maximal benefit from their reading, physicians must be able to assess the scientific merit of published research. The author has reviewed several volumes of the journal Pediatrics between 1952 and 1983, and found that the proportion of articles using sophisticated statistical procedures has increased dramatically during the surveyed interval. A lack of background in statistics makes it difficult for the physician to evaluate the scientific merit of published research. Faced with this expanding problem, what are the responsibilities of journal editors? One option would be to require that statistical methods be kept simple, or that unusual or complex procedures be explained fully in the text. Another possibility would be to convince readers that an understanding of statistical methods is vital to their practice and research, and then to present a series of instructional articles on statistical topics as the New England Journal of Medicine recently has done. Regardless, an even greater responsibility has devolved upon the journal editors in this age of biostatisticians and computer generated statistical analysis to ensure that there are no flagrant statistical mistakes in articles reviewed for publication. The author suggests that statisticians should help review manuscripts and be represented on editorial boards. With the number of journals and the number of articles in the medical literature increasing at an almost logarithmic rate, ability to review a manuscript quickly and critically to ascertain whether underlying data support conclusions is of increasing importance to the entire medical community. P. M. H. 3 tables, 18 references
Prophylactic and Remedial Therapy for the Intellectual Ailments of 'Biostatistics'
A. R. FEINSTEIN, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut Pediatrics, 72: 131-133 (July) 1983 The author acknowledges the increased use of biostatistical procedures in the medical literature and states that readers should be urged to learn more about statistics, and editors should be encouraged to institute more formal and thorough statistical review of manuscripts. However, he notes that these actions may not solve the basic problem, that being the radical reform needed desperately in medical education courses on biostatistics and public health epidemiology that will instruct and prepare students for a future lifetime of critical evaluation of research presentations encountered in meetings, conferences and the medical literature. P. M. H.
Four patients with unusual contents in inguinal hernia sacs are presented: l contained cecum and appendix, l contained sigmoid colon with an adenocarcinoma, l contained sigmoid colon with a metastatic renal cell carcinoma and l contained the stomach, duodenum, small bowel and colon. The authors conclude that, although rare, such contents in hernia sacs do occur. They suggest that a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of screening barium enemas and upper gastrointestinal series in patients with inguinal hernias would be of benefit. D. K. M. 5 figures, 11 references
BOOK REVIEW Principles and Management of Urologic Cancer, 2nd ed. Edited by N. Javadpour. Baltimore: The Williams & Wilkins Co., 652 pages, 1983. The genitourinary tract is the site of approximately 15 per cent of human malignancies. For all but the most dedicated reader it has become almost impossible to keep abreast of the relentless waves of new information concerning the biology and management of urologic neoplasia. This book is the product of an array of eminent physicians assembled from the Eastern half of the United States. As editor, Javadpour has created a notable textbook that unites the voluminous literature with the interested student. Introductory chapters expertly highlight the fundamentals of oncologic research and treatment. The minipathology course by Mostofi and Davis is a gem. In the body of the book are details of the diagnosis, staging and treatment of tumors of the genital and urinary tracts. The dramatic impact of surgery and chemotherapy in controlling testicular cancer receives appropriate in-depth analysis. Overviews of adrenal and pediatric neoplasms are presented. The written word is complemented nicely by a liberal sprinkling of well selected reproductions of pathologic material and radiographs. Surgical procedures are illustrated with clear line drawings. The many unsolved issues facing the victim of urologic cancer are addressed, and the results of current and future clinical trials are outlined. A couple of chapters promulgate the authors' bias without distilling the experience of others, thus, detracting from the intent of the title to present principles. The fact that 4 different staging classifications of seminoma appear in 3 chapters is confusing and occasional typographical errors are irksome. Despite these criticisms a wealth of pertinent information for the practicing oncologist is to be found between the covers of this book. This book is destined to become the standard reference on the subject of genitourinary malignancies and is recommended reading for the student and practitioner of urologic oncology. Jeffrey J. Pollen 1349 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, California 92014
BOOK REVIEW
Unusual Contents in Inguinal Hernia Sacs
MISCELLANEOUS Biostatistical Trends in Pediatrics: Implications for the Future
B.
KANZER AND R. F. ROSENBERG, Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York and Department of Radiology, Cornell University Medical College, New York
N. Y. State J. Med., 83: 1055-1056 (July, Aug., Sept.) 1983
G. F. HAYDEN, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia Pediatrics, 72: 84-87 (July) 1983 Because of the exponential rate of growth of medical knowledge, physicians often spend countless hours each month reading journals to "keep current". To gain maximal benefit from their reading, physicians must be able to assess the scientific merit of published research. The author has reviewed several volumes of the journal Pediatrics between 1952 and 1983, and found that the proportion of articles using sophisticated statistical procedures has increased dramatically during the surveyed interval. A lack of background in statistics makes it difficult for the physician to evaluate the scientific merit of published research. Faced with this expanding problem, what are the responsibilities of journal editors? One option would be to require that statistical methods be kept simple, or that unusual or complex procedures be explained fully in the text. Another possibility would be to convince readers that an understanding of statistical methods is vital to their practice and research, and then to present a series of instructional articles on statistical topics as the New England Journal of Medicine recently has done. Regardless, an even greater responsibility has devolved upon the journal editors in this age of biostatisticians and computer generated statistical analysis to ensure that there are no flagrant statistical mistakes in articles reviewed for publication. The author suggests that statisticians should help review manuscripts and be represented on editorial boards. With the number of journals and the number of articles in the medical literature increasing at an almost logarithmic rate, ability to review a manuscript quickly and critically to ascertain whether underlying data support conclusions is of increasing importance to the entire medical community. P. M. H. 3 tables, 18 references
Prophylactic and Remedial Therapy for the Intellectual Ailments of 'Biostatistics'
A. R. FEINSTEIN, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut Pediatrics, 72: 131-133 (July) 1983 The author acknowledges the increased use of biostatistical procedures in the medical literature and states that readers should be urged to learn more about statistics, and editors should be encouraged to institute more formal and thorough statistical review of manuscripts. However, he notes that these actions may not solve the basic problem, that being the radical reform needed desperately in medical education courses on biostatistics and public health epidemiology that will instruct and prepare students for a future lifetime of critical evaluation of research presentations encountered in meetings, conferences and the medical literature. P. M. H.
Four patients with unusual contents in inguinal hernia sacs are presented: l contained cecum and appendix, l contained sigmoid colon with an adenocarcinoma, l contained sigmoid colon with a metastatic renal cell carcinoma and l contained the stomach, duodenum, small bowel and colon. The authors conclude that, although rare, such contents in hernia sacs do occur. They suggest that a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of screening barium enemas and upper gastrointestinal series in patients with inguinal hernias would be of benefit. D. K. M. 5 figures, 11 references
BOOK REVIEW Principles and Management of Urologic Cancer, 2nd ed. Edited by N. Javadpour. Baltimore: The Williams & Wilkins Co., 652 pages, 1983. The genitourinary tract is the site of approximately 15 per cent of human malignancies. For all but the most dedicated reader it has become almost impossible to keep abreast of the relentless waves of new information concerning the biology and management of urologic neoplasia. This book is the product of an array of eminent physicians assembled from the Eastern half of the United States. As editor, Javadpour has created a notable textbook that unites the voluminous literature with the interested student. Introductory chapters expertly highlight the fundamentals of oncologic research and treatment. The minipathology course by Mostofi and Davis is a gem. In the body of the book are details of the diagnosis, staging and treatment of tumors of the genital and urinary tracts. The dramatic impact of surgery and chemotherapy in controlling testicular cancer receives appropriate in-depth analysis. Overviews of adrenal and pediatric neoplasms are presented. The written word is complemented nicely by a liberal sprinkling of well selected reproductions of pathologic material and radiographs. Surgical procedures are illustrated with clear line drawings. The many unsolved issues facing the victim of urologic cancer are addressed, and the results of current and future clinical trials are outlined. A couple of chapters promulgate the authors' bias without distilling the experience of others, thus, detracting from the intent of the title to present principles. The fact that 4 different staging classifications of seminoma appear in 3 chapters is confusing and occasional typographical errors are irksome. Despite these criticisms a wealth of pertinent information for the practicing oncologist is to be found between the covers of this book. This book is destined to become the standard reference on the subject of genitourinary malignancies and is recommended reading for the student and practitioner of urologic oncology. Jeffrey J. Pollen 1349 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, California 92014