STM Article Repository

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.