Case report: an example of international telemedicine success.
An 8-month old girl presented to the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Riep, Cambodia with fevers, bilateral eye discharge and an extensive body rash. The rash consisted of large, fluid-filled bullae and significant desquamation. The patient was admitted to the hospital and given intravenous cloxacillin for presumed bullous impetigo. Despite treatment with antibiotics, the skin lesions did not improve and the fevers continued. Telemedicine consultations were initiated by email between Angkor Hospital for Children and paediatric specialists in the USA. Several diagnoses were entertained throughout the subsequent collaborative dialogue. Ultimately, teleconsultation led to a diagnosis of chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood (CBDC), a rare sub-epidermal blistering disease. The child was started on appropriate medications. Within 24 hours, the lesions showed significant improvement and fevers resolved. By enabling advice from distant providers on diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients, telemedicine may improve health care in developing countries.
Froehlich
Wendy
W
Brown University Triple Board Program, Rhode Island Hospital, POB-122, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. WFroehlich@lifespan.org
Seitaboth
Soeung
S
Chanpheaktra
Ngoun
N
Pugatch
David
D
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002160:Cambodia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007391:International Cooperation; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019114:Remote Consultation; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019113:Telepathology / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone