Platform of gynecological and obstetric tele imaging "low cost''

Purpose.-To design a "low cost'' gynecological and obstetric tele-imaging allowing a real time ultrasound tele-expertise, a delayed ultrasound tele-diagnostic and a tele-mammography between expert and isolated sites. Materials and methods.-A system of communication via Internet, transferring ultrasound videos and ambiance between two sites, allows a real time tele-expertise if presence of a gynecologist sonographer in the isolated site. Otherwise, an original 3D program of reconstruction allows a delayed tele-diagnostic with an operator uninitiated ( midwife, nurse, technician). A software for storing and sharing mammographic files between the two centers makes possible a tele-mammography. Results.-The system was tested on 25 patients between CHR Tsevie in Togo ( 40km from Lome, Togo and 4500km from Tours, France) and CHU Campus at Lome and CHU Trousseau in Tours with an internet flow rate around 2 Mbits/s. A real time tele-expertise was successfully performed with a delay of 1.5 s approximately. A delayed ultrasound tele-diagnostic was also performed with satisfactory results. The mammography data of the isolated center were well visualized at the expert center. Conclusion.-The present system of teleradiology requiring only a regular and inexpensive infrastructure, offers a major opportunity of telemedicine suitable for developed countries as for those in development. (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.