iPad is Accurate in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Pneumonias

In the 51^st annual meeting of the European Society of Pediatric Radiology in Amsterdam, Papaioannou et al from Mitera Hospital in Athens, and Ohio State University in Columbus , Ohio presented their findings regarding the accuracy and usefulness of the iPad in the diagnosis of pneumonias in neonates and infants.

The chest x-rays of 99 consecutive cases were retrospectively evaluated. Findings included consolidation (19), patchy densities/air-space shadowing (7), diffuse air-space shadowing (4), bilateral peribronchial thickening (18), peribronchial thickening and consolidation (4), RLL Hyperinflation (1), patchy hyperlucencies (2) and coarse pattern (2). The images were anonymized and distributed after randomization to two experienced pediatric attending radiologists and two fellows. Diagnostic monitors and a non-retina display iPad2 device were used for viewing the studies.

On the diagnostic monitors, the correct/incorrect ratio was 139/59 for the attendings and 137/61 for fellows. On the iPad, it was 141/57 and 150/48 respectively. In the detection of lung disease, the iPad sensitivity was 79.8%, specificity 64.9%, PPV 5.5% and NPV 70.3%. As a group the attendings and fellows correct/incorrect ratio was 276/120 on the monitors and 291/105 on the iPad. There was no difference in the accuracy of interpretation or the performance depending on the device used among attendings and fellows.

The authors concluded that although diagnostic monitors will continue to be the device of choice in Radiology departments, mobile tablets will play an increasingly important role in the radiographic detection of lung disease in neonates and infants in the intensive care units, emergency department and/or for teleradiology purposes.

John Spigos, BS

Top Three Posts

In the last 6 months Radiology Weekly published 22 reviews of interesting articles.  Most of the readings were from the United States, Greece and Turkey.  The three most visited articles were:

1.  iPad is accurate in the diagnosis of bone fractures.

http://radiologyweekly.blogspot.com/2014/08/ipad-is-accurate-in-diagnosis-of-bone.html

2.  Circulating Tumor Cells Culture Promises Individualized Testing and Treatment.
http://radiologyweekly.blogspot.com/2014/07/circulating-tumor-cells-culture.html

3.  Benefits and Risks of Mammography Screening.
http://radiologyweekly.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-assessment-of-benefits-and-risks-of.html

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