Introduction: The diagnosis of many otolaryngological emergencies is based on radiological investigations likex-rays and CT-Scans. The reliability of the mobile phone digital images of emergency radiological investigations send via multi-media messaging, a cheap and rapid modality for telemedicine, has not been explored for otolaryngological emergencies. Objective: The present article explores its benefit as a tool for medical communication, especially for consultation by the resident doctors in situations where specialists are not immediately available. Methods: Certain otolaryngology emergencies like faciomaxillary trauma, foreign bodies and infective emergencies, may need urgent imagingin the form of X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT-Scan) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for diagnosis. Various studies related to Mobile Multimedia Service (MMS) teleradiology in Otolaryngological emergencies were reviewed. The digital images of the radiographs viewed on an illuminated view box in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) emergency, clicked under constant environment, including same resident doctor and cell phone with camera equipped with mobile multimedia message service (MMS) were sent via MMS to another phone of the same make and model, with blinding to avoid observer bias. The cell phone digital images (index test) have been compared with reporting of the actual radiograph films viewed on a view box (reference standard) with regards to their diagnostic accuracy. Results: Mobile Multimedia Service (MMS) teleradiology has been found to have a diagnostic accuracy comparable to the actual radiographs (X-rays, CT-Scans, MRI) viewed on a view box or computer screen, for most of the otolaryngological emergencies except undisplaced fracture of nasal bones and surgical emphysema where the results were dependent on the technique of clicking the image and the resolution of the camera. Conclusion: Mobile Multimedia Service (MMS) teleradiology is a cheaper, quick and more easily accessible solution in medical communication and it can be incorporated as a handy and readily available communication tool for handling otolaryngological emergencies as it would enhance the confidence in remote decision making and improve patient care in emergency settings.
Author(s) Details
Dr. Shraddha Jain
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe be University), Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
Dr. Sunil Kumar
Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
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