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Published on: August 20, 2019
The use of a Google search in the diagnosis of a rare condition
Janelle Morgan Evans1, Mary M South, Ron Jaekle
1From the *Christ Hospital, Divisions of †FPMRS and ‡MFM, Departments of §OB/GYN, ∥Pathology, and ¶Infection Disease, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Background:
This study aims to describe the use of the Internet in aiding the diagnosis of a rare lower urinary tract finding in a primiparous woman.
Methods:
A case of bladder schistosomiasis was reviewed.
Results:
After the referral from the obstetrics service with a bladder lesion noted on dating ultrasound, an asymptomatic primipara with 9 weeks of gestational age presented for cystoscopy. A polypoid lesion was noted, and suspected diagnosis of schistosomiasis was made using a Google image search. Urine cytologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient was treated without need for further invasive testing or bladder biopsy.
Conclusions:
The usefulness of Internet searches and other electronic resources should be appreciated in the diagnosis of rare conditions.
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