ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Telemedical wound care is one of the possible applications of teledermatology. The treatment of pediatric wounds needs frequent and periodic assessments of their local status and adjustment of dressings choice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present our experience using telemedicine in the successful assessment and treatment of 19 pediatric patients at the OPBG, Rome . Photographs with a digital camera were taken and sent weekly by mail to a wound care specialist in Rome. This allowed the expert to diagnose and evaluate the wounds periodically. RESULTS: In the shown cases, telemedicine allowed us to have an immediate evaluation and therapy adjustment. The quality of the images was good enough that the physician could regularly evaluate the status of the wound and immediately give his feedback to the parents. Of these 19, 13 patients (68%) experienced a wound resolution during the remote monitoring period. The satisfaction of the parents detected at 3, 6 and 12 months was found to be respectively 57%, 71%, 84%. CONCLUSION: Reducing transportation to the hospital to obtain a specialist advice, wound teleconsultation lowers health care costs and improve the quality of life for pediatric patients and their family, while still maintaining a high quality of pediatric wound care.
Subject(s)
Pediatrics/methods , Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods , Remote Consultation/methods , Telemedicine/methods , Wounds and Injuries/nursing , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Italy , Male , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Photography , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Thyroglossal duct cysts are one of the most common congenital abnormalities of the cervical region. Complications of these swellings are rare, and among these, appearance of a carcinoma has also been noted. We present a case of papillary carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst in 20-year-old woman with a swelling of about 4 cm, located at the middle region of the neck over the hyoid bone. Our patient was treated using a modified Sistrunk operation, in which thyroidectomy proved crucial for the correct diagnosis and continuation of appropriate treatment. Our case confirms the difficulty in distinguishing a primitive thyroglossal duct carcinoma from a synchronous metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. This dilemma often remains unresolved.
