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Personal smartphones for neonatal diagnostic imaging: A prospective crossover study
Margreta Westberg1, Theresia Vasko1, Louise S Owen2
1Medicine Programme, Linkopings University, Linkoping, Sweden.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|February 15, 2017
Summary
Neonatal clinicians can accurately diagnose pneumothorax using smartphone chest X-rays (CXRs) as effectively as computer screens. This study found no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two viewing methods for neonatal pneumothorax detection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neonatal Medicine
- Diagnostic Accuracy
Background:
- Neonatal clinicians may need to review X-ray images remotely.
- Smartphone image transmission is increasingly used, but data in neonates is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of pneumothorax detection in neonatal chest radiographs (CXRs) viewed on smartphones versus computer screens.
Main Methods:
- 40 CXR images were evaluated by 21 clinicians on both smartphones and computers.
- Viewing methods and order were randomized.
- Diagnostic accuracy was compared against a radiologist's gold standard report.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in pneumothorax detection accuracy between smartphones (81%) and computer screens (80%).
- 840 paired observations were analyzed.
- P-value of 0.40 indicated no statistical difference.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone viewing provides diagnostic accuracy for neonatal pneumothorax comparable to computer screens.
- This supports the use of smartphones for reviewing neonatal CXRs when direct access is not possible.
