[Radiology and the Internet. The development, foundations and technical prerequisites]

As a new communication media the Internet has revolutionized the global exchange of information which is one of the major sources of progress in medicine. This article reviews the history of the Internet's evolution and describes some fundamental technical concepts. The importance of Internet services for everyday professional work is examined with special consideration of radiology. Special emphasis is laid on the current technical limitations that have delayed a broad practical implementation of tele-medical applications. As a highly innovative medical specialty, radiology has always been at the forefront of research and development in the field of clinical Internet applications. By taking a look at recent innovations, the impact of the Internet on the radiologist's working environment of the future is highlighted.