Video-capture teleradiology for the after-hours reading of computerized tomography scans

We evaluated the after-hours support that radiologists could provide from t heir homes to an urban hospital for reading emergency computerized tomograp hy (CT) scans. During a six-month study period, 36 CT scans were acquired u sing a video-capture card in a PC and transmitted via an ordinary telephone line. The teleradiology interpretation and the formal report (from the har d copy) were compared with a reference or gold standard interpretation made by a radiologist and an emergency physician for 31 of the 36 cases. In com parison with the gold standard, there were 26 correct diagnoses by teleradi ology (84%) and five incorrect (16%). Head CT scans accounted for 74% of th e transmitted scans and all five of the cases with discrepant diagnoses. Th e cause of the single clinically relevant discrepancy was found to be unrel ated to the use of teleradiology. In comparison with the formal report, the accuracy of the teleradiologist was not significantly different for all ca tegories combined or for head CT scans alone. Video-capture technology prov ided a reliable means of transmitting CT scans for after-hours interpretati on in emergency cases.