Comparison of slow scan television and direct viewing of radiographs

Slow scan television equipment (SSTV) can transmit images of radiographs using an inexpensive camera, TV monitor and ordinary telephone lines, and has potential for use in communities without radiologists. We compared the accuracy with which nine experienced radiologists could perceive abnormal findings in each of two viewing conditions: (1) SSTV viewing of an image on a television monitor and (2) direct viewing on a light box. Each finding was categorized as readily, moderately or barely visible. The nine radiologists had scores using SSTV that were significantly worse (p less than .005) than the standard, whereas the scores using direct viewing were not significantly different from the standard. The present generation of SSTV equipment is not yet adequate for routine reading of radiographs, although the concept of SSTV still has considerable potential.