Preliminary assessment of computed tomography and satellite teleradiology from Operation Desert Storm

Computed tomography at military transportable hospitals was used for the first time during the recent Operation Desert Storm in the Saudi Arabian desert. Scan quality was excellent and the scans proved clinically important in patient management. A teleradiology link via satellite to the U.S. mainland was also successfully employed. The objectives of the teleradiology link were to validate the concept distant interpretation of images obtained on the battlefield and to provide specialty radiology consultation. This technology shows great promise for future applications, both for combat casualty care and for civilian disaster medical support operations.