Vasileios Moustakas MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Demosthenes D. Cokkinos MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eleni Antypa, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Panagiotis Tserotas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alkmini Skoura MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ploutarhos A Piperopoulos MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Real time remote diagnosis of complete US examinations performed elsewhere using a wireless setting and a tablet is feasible and useful.

Mobile devices are already part of daily routine radiological practice. We built a remote real time wireless review system using ultrasound (US). In this modality visualisation of a complete examination in real time, instead of static images, is important to establish the best possible diagnosis.

The live streaming wireless system is composed of 3 components: a hardware video compression system that also sends video clips in 1080p Full HD; a WiFi router capable of connecting to HDSPA+ / LTE(4G) mobile networks and a tablet with an Octa Core CPU featuring a 10.1”, super-clear LCD 2560 x 1600 WQXGA display. 37 patients were scanned by a Consultant Radiologist for various indications. 42 complete US examinations of the abdomen (18 examinations), carotids (10), leg arteries (5), leg veins (6) and thyroid (3) were reviewed remotely in real time by another Consultant Radiologist in another area, with no contact to the examining doctor. The two doctors’ independent double blinded reports were compared using standardised reporting systems to assess imaging quality of the tablet in comparison to the US machine image. In 538/545 (98.72%) results (organ measurements, echogenicity of normal findings and lesions, degree of blood perfusion, suggested diagnosis) complete interobserver agreement was observed. The few (7/545=1.28%) contradicting results were limited to different evaluations of liver/kidney echogenicity and thyroid nodule perfusion, data which also often present discrepancies between different examiners on the same monitor.

In most of the evaluated parameters, good interobserver agreement showed that the real time wireless streaming did not affect image quality and therefore did not alter diagnosis. Therefore, this technique can be used in cases where a second (usually more experienced) look on whole US examinations is needed, instead of specific static images as is the usual practice.

Moustakas, V, Cokkinos, D, Antypa, E, Tserotas, P, Skoura, A, Piperopoulos, P, Diagnostic Imaging in Live Streaming using High Tech Mobile Devices: Is Real Time Diagnosis, While Being on the Move, Possible?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14012484.html