Comparison of thoracic radiographs with images transmitted via advanced telecommunications equipment

Abstract

Objective To compare thoracic radiographs of clinically normal dogs and dogs with mild clinical heartworm disease with images transmitted by a desk-top, two-way audiovisual teleconferencing system. Design - Prospective, matched-set study. Study Population - 50 thoracic radiographs from clinically normal and heartworm-infected dogs and the digitally transmitted images of those radiographs. Procedure - Thoracic radiographs from 25 clinically normal dogs and 25 dogs infected with 1 to 24 heartworms were evaluated by 3 clinicians. Using classic criteria for heartworm disease, evaluations of radiographs and images transmitted digitally over 2 highspeed data-transfer telephone lines (56 kilobits/s/line) were performed. Clinicians were asked to determine whether dogs had radiographic signs of heartworm disease. Results - Clinicians' ability to detect heartworm disease did not differ between interpretations of radiographs and those of transmitted images. Clinical Implications - Radiographic images transmitted via a teleconference system can be used to provide reliable diagnostic information. Thoracic radiographs can be interpreted at a remote site permitting rapid consultation and immediate advice on clinical management.