The reliability of video otoscopy recordings and still images in the asynchronous diagnosis of middle-ear disease
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Date
Authors
Alenezi, Eman M.A.
Jajko, Kathryn
Reid, Allison
Locatelli-Smith, Alessandra
Tao, Karina F.M.
Bright, Tess
Richmond, Peter C.
Eikelboom, Robert H.
Brennan-Jones, Christopher G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE : To compare the asynchronous assessment of video otoscopic still images to recordings by an audiologist and ear, nose and throat surgeon (ENT) for diagnostic reliability and agreement in identifying middle-ear disease.
DESIGN : A prospective cross-sectional study, asynchronously assessing video otoscopy, tympanometry and case history (Dx1). A subset was re-diagnosed (Dx2).
STUDY SAMPLE : Video otoscopy and data from 146 children recruited at two public community events; a sub-set of 47 were re-assessed.
RESULTS : The intra-rater diagnostic agreement between Dx1 and Dx2 was moderate (k = 0.445–0.552) for the ENT surgeon, and almost-perfect (k = 0.928) for the audiologist, in both procedures. The agreement between the two procedures was substantial (k = 0.624) and moderate (k = 0.416) for the ENT surgeon in Dx1 and Dx2 respectively, and almost-perfect for the audiologist (k = 0.854–0.978) in both rounds. In Dx1, the inter-rater agreement between the clinicians was substantial using still images (k = 0.672) and moderate using recordings (k = 0.593); in Dx2 it was moderate using both procedures (k = 0.477–0.488).
CONCLUSION : Both video otoscopic procedures, in addition to tympanometry and case history information, can be reliably used for asynchronous diagnosis of childhood middle-ear disease. An audiologist has a potential role in triaging children with middle-ear abnormalities and, therefore, improving access to ear-health services.
Description
Keywords
Ear, nose and throat (ENT), Middle ear, Paediatric patients, Tele-audiology, Telehealth, Video otoscopy
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Eman M. A. Alenezi, Kathryn Jajko, Allison Reid, Alessandra Locatelli-
Smith, Karina F. M. Tao, Tess Bright, Peter C. Richmond, Robert H. Eikelboom & Christopher
G. Brennan-Jones (2022) The reliability of video otoscopy recordings and still images in the
asynchronous diagnosis of middle-ear disease, International Journal of Audiology, 61:11, 917-923,
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1983217.