Electronic archiving for radiology image management systems

It is pointed out that the use of electronic archiving in a radiology department must be supported by image acquisition modes, high data rate local area networks, ultrahigh-resolution gray-scale display workstations, and hard-copy image recording stations. The requirements for mass storage of radiographic images and the required support system are presented. The electronic archiving of all radiographic images requires the following technologies: (1) modality interfaces; (2) film digitizers; (3) networks; (4) magnetic and optical archival systems; (5) film printers; and (6) gray-scale display stations. Estimates of the necessary number of film digitizers and film printers are discussed. A typical image management network is presented