Electronic image management in radiology

During the past two decades, new imaging modalities have significantly changed the practice of diagnostic radiology. Although new imaging modalities will probably continue to be introduced the major change in diagnostic radiology in the next decade is likely to involve changes in service delivery by electronic image management systems. This paper reviews some of the factors favoring the expansion of electronic image management systems, the capabilities of such systems, and some of the issues that must be resolved before these systems can reach their full potential