Daniel Fascia, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Vikas Shah MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joel Dunn MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Our small cohort study suggests that the iPad running Osirix HD would be suitable for emergency CT diagnostic imaging and could offer the benefits of reduced time to diagnosis and improved safety and supervision. Formal technical assessment and a larger study may however be required prior to clinical implementation.

CT scanning has become a key frontline diagnostic tool, which increases service demands in both number of studies and expected reporting times. Modern treatments are frequently guided by imaging outcomes. The radiologist reporting paradigm has remained constant despite these changes. Remote access to diagnostic images on lightweight, portable devices is desirable and would improve time to diagnosis and report delivery. By equipping senior radiologists with these devices, safety and supervision may benefit.  

We evaluated the iPad (Apple Computers, California) running Osirix HD (Pixmeo SARL, Switzerland) software. Ten Consultant Radiologists in a large multi-centre teaching hospital were asked to interpret 10 emergency CT studies of all body parts (neuroimaging included). Readers first reported using the iPad and then viewed studies on their usual CT workstation, after which additional diagnoses were indicated. Reports from the iPad were compared to formal reports (2 radiologists) and assessed for concordance. A qualitative survey of experience using the iPad was also undertaken.  

Mobile emergency CT reporting is a desirable goal, but devices must be carefully evaluated for suitability for purpose. We believe that the iPad provides sufficient screen resolution, contrast and colour depth for emergency diagnostic CT imaging. Network connectivity via wireless, 3G and Virtual Private Network (VPN) pipelines is also suitable for radiology. Our small study showed strong concordance between images interpreted on the iPad and a conventional CT workstation with a low rate of clinically significant error. Additionally, readers indicated that ergonomics of the device were acceptable for this purpose. We accept that larger studies as well as formal technical assessments would be required before a device can be used for diagnostic imaging.  

Fascia, D, Shah, V, Dunn, J, Evaluation of Touchscreen Tablet Computers for Rapid Mobile Emergency Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Reporting.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11014833.html