Digitization of radiologic images

Information technology is at present an integrating part of the department of radiology. The applications to radiology involve the new imaging procedures as CT and MRI as well as exams which to-date are performed with analog methods. Besides off-line digital conversion of images by video camera or scanner, on-line systems are available with which conventional images are directly converted to digital images. Digital radiography using photostimulable phosphors is based on the capability of barium fluorohaldeide plates to emit light when stimulated by a laser beam. Digital spot fluorography is a dedicated system which enables the digital acquisition of dynamic images. The diffusion and evolution of digital systems dedicated to conventional exams will permit in a near future a fully digital radiology department.