Diagnostic utility of flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy recorded onto a smartphone: A pilot study.

Diagnostic utility of flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy recorded onto a smartphone: A pilot study.

World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Jun;4(2):135-139

Authors: Brant JA, Leahy K, Mirza N

Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of flexible fiberoptic examinations of the larynx recorded onto smartphones.
Methods: Prospective, blinded study of inpatients requiring laryngoscopy. A live exam was performed, then a smartphone was attached to the endoscope using a novel coupling device and the same examination was recorded. The live and recorded exams were evaluated by two laryngologists, each blinded to the findings of the other.
Results: Eighteen subjects were evaluated. Evaluation of airway patency was identical (Kappa = 1.0 [1, 1]). Evaluation of vocal cord motion was identical for 14 subjects: 9 normal, 3 paretic, 2 paralytic (Kappa = 0.69 [0.38, 1]).
Conclusion: There is high correlation between laryngeal diagnoses using live flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy and recordings using a coupling device to transfer the recordings on to smartphones. Critical findings such as airway patency and vocal fold motion showed the highest correlation.

PMID: 30101224 [PubMed]