IPad is accurate in the diagnosis of bone fractures

In the 99^th annual meeting of the Radiologic Society of North America Yarmenitis S et al from Hygeia Hospital, University of Athens, and Ohio State University presented their findings regarding the accuracy of the iPad in the diagnosis of bone fractures.  Seventy-eight trauma cases that included 39 upper extremities, 28 lower extremities, 7 spinal, 3 rib cages and 1 skull x-rays were evaluated retrospectively. Of the cases reviewed, 35 had fractures. The images were anonymized and distributed after randomization to two attending radiologists and to two radiology residents. They used diagnostic monitors and a non-retina display iPad device for interpretation.  The attendings made 130 correct and 26 incorrect diagnoses, while the residents made 127 correct and 29 incorrect diagnoses on the diagnostic monitors.  On the iPad, the attendings made 128 correct and 28 incorrect diagnoses, while the residents made 125 correct and 31 incorrect diagnoses.  The iPad’s sensitivity was 70.9%, specificity 89.4%, positive predictive value 84.7%, and negative predictive value 78.8% in the diagnosis of fractures. As a group, the attendings and residents made 257 correct and 55 incorrect diagnoses on the monitors and 253 correct and 59 incorrect diagnoses on the iPad. There was no difference in the accuracy of interpretation among attendings and residents and no difference was found in their performance depending on the device used.   The authors concluded that tablets would play an essential role in the future as they are mobile and can be used for emergency cases or for teleradiology purposes.

Summary by John T. Spigos, BS

RSNA abstract number 13022609