Rapid wireless transmission of head CT images to a personal digital assistant for remote consultation

Rationale and Objectives. We describe a simple technique for transmission of a complete set of cranial computed tomography (CT) images to a commercially available wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) for remote teleradiology consultation. Materials and Methods. A complete set of images from the head CT of a trauma patient with subdural hematoma (19 images) was captured from a picture archiving and communication system and transmitted wirelessly as an e-mail attachment after being compressed. The images were retrieved, decompressed, and reviewed using commercially available software and a PDA with cellular phone capability. Results. A complete head CT was transmitted to a remote radiologist's wireless PDA for consultation. The entire procedure (including image capture, transmission, and review) took approximately 11.5 minutes. Conclusion. Using the technique described in this article the wireless PDA may function as a robust medium for facilitating care of brain trauma patients by allowing rapid access to trauma radiologists or neurosurgeons.