To compare the accuracy of interpretation of digitized radiographs with that of plain films, the authors prospectively evaluated the first 685 plain film cases (530 adult and 155 pediatric cases, each of which consisted of one or more images) transmitted from an outpatient center 18 miles (approximately 29 km) to a hospital radiology department by means of a high-speed teleradiology system. Plain films were digitized and transmitted via a T-1 (1.544 Mbit/sec) data link for display on high-resolution (2,560 x 2,048-pixel) workstations. Radiologists at the hospital used a copy of the radiology requisition that had been faxed from the remote center. Interpretation of the digital images was followed by review of the original plain radiographs within 1 working day. Discrepant interpretations occurred in 18 cases (2.6%) (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 99%); an arbitration panel decided that they were associated with observer performance more than with the fidelity of the digital display. It is concluded that primary diagnosis without review of the original plain radiographs is feasible with state-of-the-art teleradiology systems.
The classic features of six common pulmonary developmental anomalies have been presented. In addition, several overlap cases, each demonstrating features of more than one anomaly, have been illustrated. Such cases serve to emphasize that pulmonary developmental anomalies exist as a continuum, often frustrating our attempts at discrete classification. Future advances in pulmonary embryology may further elucidate the pathogenesis of these entities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.