Endoscopic smartphone adaptors in Otolaryngology: How do they compare?

Abstract

Results of univariate testing of FDG-PET/CT parameters for the prediction of necrosis vs. tumour recurrence/persistence. In this table, contrast enhancement and soft tissue mass are given as dichotomous parameters. CT, computed tomography; FDG-PET/CT, fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography; SUV max , maximum standardised uptake value; SD, standard deviation; TLG, total lesion Photodocumentation allows for the image capture of information that can be used for the purpose of communication and teaching. In certain areas of medicine, such as cancer care and chronic disease, it facilitates the transfer of information and has the potential to transform the way healthcare is delivered. 6 Smartphone adaptors offer an innovative, portable and cost-effective solution to NHS departments looking to implement photodocumentation.One concern regarding the use of smartphones in clinical practice is that of confidentiality and mitigating medico-legal risk. 7 Potential loss or theft of the smartphone renders the patient at risk of harm and unauthorised publication. 8 Valid and informed consent from patients is compulsory. Furthermore, health organisations should ensure the development of and adherence to policies that guide clinicians in the capture, transmission and deletion of sensitive material. 9 | LimitationsThe limitations of this study include the low sample size (n = 10 participants); however, each participant had photos taken of three anatomical areas with four camera-adaptor combinations meaning that 120 photos were evaluated in total. There were a limited number of evaluators (n = 10) but they comprised a wide range of evaluators from medical students to experienced Otolaryngologists thus providing representation of end users. The inherent bias associated with Likert scales is recognised. However, Likert-based rating scales have been validated for video quality ratings. 10 The photos were presented for comparison on a projector rather than a high definition screen, which may account for the relatively low scores across all domains. Furthermore, the iPhone 6s uses an autofocus, which prevents manual adjustment and image optimisation. All three of the adaptors produced slightly granular and pixelated images with a fibre-optic endoscope compared to the rigid endoscope. The moiré effect in photography occurs when two regularly spaced sets of lines are superimposed on a new set of lines resulting in a new set of lines passing through the points where the original lines cross at small angles (Collins dictionary).This can be distracting to a viewer and is a proposed reason why the Storz Smart Scope outperformed the Storz Tele Pack which uses a single-chip camera attached to the fibre-optic endoscope. Furthermore, the results here are applicable for the iPhone 6s and different outcomes may have been found with other smartphones. | CONCLUSIONSmartphone adaptors with ENT endoscopes offer portability, ease of use and lower cost compared to the cost of an office-based camera stack system. The Smart ...

Utilisation of a smartphone-enabled video otoscope to train novices in otological examination and procedural skills

“…2 Smartphone adaptors have been developed over the last decade to enable the attachment of an endoscope and to utilise the smartphone camera to take endoscopic images. 11 In the UK, endoscope-I® has been used to provide high-quality photo documentation using a smartphone camera and visual access of the tympanic membrane facilitated by an otoendoscope. 12…”