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Carey P, Fudzulani R, Scholfield D, Chagaluka G, Tomoka T, Liombe G, Banda K, Wadehra V, Samarasinghe S, Molyneux EM, Bailey S. Remote and rapid pathological diagnosis in a resource challenged unit. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:540-3. [PMID: 24561316 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-202099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries, but despite this, has a dedicated paediatric oncology service. The service has been hampered by the inability to make a timely cytological diagnosis in the majority of patients. A telemedicine programme was commenced to help overcome this problem, and the results for the first 197 consecutive patients are described. The results are compared with the local reports where available. Most samples were fine needle aspirates (104/197-53%), but others included bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood films and other fluid collections. A diagnosis was arrived at in 52% of the samples; there were 46 discordant results, 38 were when one or other of the local or distant teams were unable to make a diagnosis, and only 8 where the diagnoses of the 2 teams differed. Diagnoses were made and reports were compiled by the 'distant' team within 24 h and sent to the centre in Malawi. This simple telepathology initiative has had a positive impact on clinical management, and could be used in other less resourced centres twinned with better resourced ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Carey
- Department of Haematology, Great North Childrens Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - R Fudzulani
- Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - D Scholfield
- Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - G Chagaluka
- Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - T Tomoka
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - G Liombe
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - K Banda
- Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - V Wadehra
- Department of Pathology, Great North Childrens Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S Samarasinghe
- Department of Haematology, Great North Childrens Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - E M Molyneux
- Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - S Bailey
- Department of Child Health, Great North Childrens Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Katangwe-Chirwa T, Molyneux E, Rylance S, Kennedy N, Chagaluka G. Tricuspid endocarditis, in a 12 year old girl with a previously normal heart. Malawi Med J 2012; 24:81-3. [PMID: 23638283 PMCID: PMC3623021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T Katangwe-Chirwa
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Paediatric and Child Health Department
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