title: Assessment of quality and interpretation of panoramic radiographs obtained in the Lao People's Democratic Republic as part of a teleradiology collaboration with Japan.
abstract: As part of quality assessment of a teleradiology program we evaluated the validity of patient information received, the quality of panoramic radiography imaging in Laos, and the ability of a Laotian radiologist to detect temporomandibular joint abnormalities. The amount of patient information gathered from 2,021 scans of panoramic radiographs was evaluated by triage before image diagnosis. Among the radiographs from 2,021 patients, primary triage indicated that there was insufficient information for 794 (39.3%) patients. Secondary triage to assess imaging failure included 1,227 radiographs, four of which were excluded from imaging diagnosis because of unacceptable image flaws. In total, 2,446 joints from 1,223 radiographs were evaluated for temporomandibular joint abnormalities in order to compare the image interpretation abilities of Laotian and Japanese radiologists. The kappa coefficient was 0.836 (P < 0.01) for the agreement between the two observers in detecting temporomandibular joint abnormalities on radiographs. We conclude that additional efforts are needed in order to overcome the challenges of maintaining quality in imaging techniques and diagnoses in Laos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Kunihito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Souksavanh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vongsa
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Ken-Ichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ejima
authors.forename: Kiyomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohinata
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Shigeharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aboshi
authors.forename: Fumiyuki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kuwata
authors.forename: Kichibee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otsuka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007812:Laos; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019112:Teleradiology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult