Software allows accurate visual diagnosis

Software (VisualDx) is now available that helps doctors visually diagnose certain conditions. Scans, blood and urine tests can take up to 48 hours for results whereas the software can result in diagnosis in minutes. The software shows detailed pictures of physical displays of symptoms. The software also provides information about possible misdiagnoses and further tests and treatments. For example, the software can help disseminated herpes being misdiagnosed as smallpox. Smallpox causes blisters similar to those caused by the herpes in people suffering from AIDS or who have a compromised immune system due to cancer. The software has a huge potential to save lives. For example, a 4 year old boy was taken to hospital suffering from fever, swollen lymph glands, diffuse rash, cracked lips and peeling skin around fingernails. The boy had already been misdiagnosed but the doctor managed to correctly diagnose Kawasaki's syndrome with assistance from the software. Kawasaki's syndrome is a rare condition affecting the heart which can lead to aneurysm and death.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by CBS News

Related Disease Topics:

• Disseminated herpes
• Herpes
• Smallpox
• Cancer
• Compromised immune system (see Immune deficiency)
• AIDS
• Kawasaki's syndrome
• Aneurysm

Related Symptom Topics:

• Blisters
• Fever
• Swollen lymph glands
• Diffuse rash
• Cracked lips
• Peeling skin around fingernails

Article Source Details

About: Software allows accurate visual diagnosis

Date: 15 December 2004

Source: CBS News

URL: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/15/health/main661308.shtml

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Diagnosis
• Diagnosis and disseminated herpes
• Diagnosis and herpes
• Diagnosis and smallpox
• Diagnosis and cancer
• Diagnosis and compromised immune system
• Diagnosis and AIDS
• Diagnosis and Kawasaki's syndrome
• Diagnosis and aneurysm
• Diagnosis and blisters
• Diagnosis and fever
• Diagnosis and swollen lymph glands
• Diagnosis and diffuse rash
• Diagnosis and cracked lips
• Diagnosis and peeling skin around fingernails
• Misdiagnosis (type of Medical misadventure)
• Misdiagnosis and disseminated herpes
• Misdiagnosis and herpes
• Misdiagnosis and smallpox
• Misdiagnosis and cancer
• Misdiagnosis and compromised immune system
• Misdiagnosis and AIDS
• Misdiagnosis and Kawasaki's syndrome
• Misdiagnosis and aneurysm
• Misdiagnosis and blisters
• Misdiagnosis and fever
• Misdiagnosis and swollen lymph glands
• Misdiagnosis and diffuse rash
• Misdiagnosis and cracked lips
• Misdiagnosis and peeling skin around fingernails
• Death from aneurysm
• Death from Kawasaki's syndrome

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