title: Artificial intelligence in the prediction of operative findings in low back surgery.
abstract: In a prospective trial of 150 patients undergoing first time low back surgery for sciatica, the performance of a computer was compared to that of clinicians in predicting the likely operative findings. The results indicate that artificial intelligence techniques implemented on a computer can be used for predicting operative findings in low back surgery, can out-perform clinicians and can be used to develop better methods of human prediction.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Department, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mackintosh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waddell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery