Diagnosis Through Teleneurology: Jason Poon, MD

“We are at the beginning phases of trying to understand our diagnostic accuracy and some other quality measures with regards to teleneurology as well as telestroke. But there is some evidence that we are at least as accurate in the telestroke world at diagnosing things other than stroke. More research needs to be done, but the initial signs are promising.”

Telestroke consultations can accurately differentiate between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and stroke mimics, with the potential to assess a wider variety of neurological syndromes, according to a recent study presented virtually at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, April 17-22, by Jason Poon, MD, neurologist, University of Utah.

Poon and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of 476 telestroke cases and found a high diagnostic agreement for AIS (88%) with a kappa of 0.75 for stroke and mimics. Telestroke mimic diagnosis had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%, while telestroke diagnosis of AIS had a PPV of 90% and an NPV of 85%.

NeurologyLive spoke with Poon to learn about further research that he would like to conduct with telestroke and teleneurology consultations. He also discussed the potential of teleneurology consultations to diagnose a number of conditions.

For more coverage of AAN 2021, click here.

REFERENCE

Poon JT, Hoversten K, Tkach A, et al. Telestroke consultation can accurately diagnose ischemic stroke mimics. Presented at 2021 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 17-22. Abstract P5 164