Abstract
In a situation of uncertain diagnosis, physicians may spend valuable time consulting
relevant literature, often with unsatisfactory results. Therefore, our aim was to
develop a computer system which supports differential diagnostics via rapid and comprehensive
searches through information in literature. Based on entered signs and symptoms our
prototype is able to offer probable diagnoses. Subsequently, further examinations
and tests are suggested to confirm or exclude a certain disease. Thus, the final diagnosis
is made gradually by differentiation of possible diseases.
Our first attempt consisted in representing knowledge in a rule-based PROLOG system.
However, because nearly all information for a sign-oriented differential diagnosis
can be represented with very few relations only, we turned to a fact-oriented representation
of signs and diseases. Access was possible via PROLOG or an imperative programming
language. The index-sequential access on a fact-oriented representation of knowledge
was suitable to manage a large knowledge base, which is necessary for a thorough differential
diagnosis. A pointer structure was recently examined in order to handle different
object-to-object relations. Efficient information processing is now possible which
provides short response times using even broad knowledge bases.
Key-Words
Knowledge-Based Systems - Medical Decision Making - Diagnostic Support Systems - Differential
Diagnosis
