OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare correctness of diagnosis from phonecamera MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)-transmitted radiographic images to actual radiographs in confirming diagnosis of surgical conditions.

METHODS: After relaying history anAphysical examination findings through cellphones, 180 radiographs (30 each from General Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Thoracocardiovascular and Pediatric Surgery) were also captured and transmitted by residents. Images were interpreted at remote sites by surgical specialists who confirmed diagnosis and suggested prompt treatment. Upon arrival at hospital, surgical consultants compared diagnosis with actual radiographic films. Data were analyzed using Binomial Test at the 0.05 level of significance.

RESULTS: Clinical diagnoses were confirmed using 150 conventional radiograms, 28 CT scans and 2 angiograms. Phone-transmitted digital radiographs were compared with actual films viewed. Correctness of diagnosis was: 100 percent (30/30) from Neurosurgery; 93.3 percent (28/30) respectively from General Surgery, Urology, Orthopedics and Thoracocardiovascular Surgery; 90 percent (27/30) from Pediatric Surgery. Phone-transmitted radiographic image interpretations compared with actual radiographic readings showed statistically significant concordance of 96 percent (p = 0.01) for each surgical specialty.

CONCLUSION: Phonecamera MMS images of radiograms, CT scans and angiograms taken by surgical residents in the hospital and transmitted to cellphones of surgeons at remote sites had high correctness of diagnosis. When used to confirm diagnosis from clinical history and physical findings, prompt treatment decisions of different surgical specialty conditions may be made.