Storage and presentation of images

The concept of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and its state of realization in the world involving USA, Europe and Japan is presented. As examples, MDIS in USA, EurIPACS in Europe and Osaka University in Japan will be reported. The question of to what extent the technical problems in realization of PACS have been overcome and are expected to be overcome in the near future is raised and discussed. As an example of technological difficulties, the problem of rapid exchange of image files between institutions will be mentioned. The position of medical images in the efficacy of diagnosis in hospitals will be also discussed. The integration of PACS with the Radiological Information System (RIS) and HIS is discussed. The technology assessment of PACS is going to be an important theme of study and investigation. An example of quantitative measurement of pre-post PACS/RIS/HIS is included.