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Teleradiology in practice—our experience with teleconsultation of CT examinations
International Congress Series 1256 (2003) 1386
Teleradiology in practice—our experience with teleconsultation of CT examinations R. Chrzan *, A. Urbanik, M. Renczynska-Wyrobek, T.J. Popiela Radiology Department, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 19, 31-501 Krakow, Poland Received 25 February 2003; received in revised form 25 February 2003; accepted 10 March 2003 Keywords: Teleradiology; CT; ISDN
1. Introduction Teleradiology is a rapidly spreading technology. However, in many countries, it is not commonly used because of technical reasons or costs of implementation. The aim of this study was to show own experience with one of the first teleradiological systems in Poland. 2. Material and methods In 1998, in the Radiology Department of the Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University in Cracow, a teleradiological system was installed. The system was initially based on Siemens Magic View 50 workstation and then was upgraded to Siemens Magic View 300 workstation. A cooperation with radiology departments in two regional hospitals was estabilished and teleconsultation of CT examinations was put into practice. ISDN line is used as a transmission medium and DICOM over TCP/IP as a transmission protocol. 3. Results Using the DICOM format, it was possible to assess original images and perform window adjustments, attenuation and linear measurements. In our country, there have already been some attempts to perform digital teletransmission of medical images as simple bitmaps, but it was obviously associated with partial loss of original information and postprocessing possibilities. In our system radiologists performing teleconsultations felt no difference between assessment of transmitted and locally performed examinations. The only problem was no incorporation of reporting system into the software of teleradiological workstation. Reports had to be created using local Radiology Information System (RIS) and then transmitted back by email in coded form and additionally by fax. Digital telephone line (ISDN) turned out probably as an optimal solution for periodical teletransmission of images. Taking advantage of WAN should be considered as a next step only in large teleconsultation centers, when efficiency of ISDN is not satisfactory. 4. Conclusion Teleradiological system in our department is a successful example of functioning specialist teleconsultation of CT examinations from regional hospitals. It is particularly useful for expert evaluation of difficult cases obtained from regional departments less experienced in assessment. However, currently in Poland, it is not broadly used probably not because of technical reasons or costs of implementation but because of no sufficient information about this possibility. Our system is one of the first attempts at introduction of teleradiology in Poland. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +4812-4213661; fax: +4812-4110446. E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Chrzan). 0531-5131/03 D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00228-0
Teleradiology in practice—our experience with teleconsultation of CT examinations R. Chrzan *, A. Urbanik, M. Renczynska-Wyrobek, T.J. Popiela Radiology Department, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 19, 31-501 Krakow, Poland Received 25 February 2003; received in revised form 25 February 2003; accepted 10 March 2003 Keywords: Teleradiology; CT; ISDN
1. Introduction Teleradiology is a rapidly spreading technology. However, in many countries, it is not commonly used because of technical reasons or costs of implementation. The aim of this study was to show own experience with one of the first teleradiological systems in Poland. 2. Material and methods In 1998, in the Radiology Department of the Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University in Cracow, a teleradiological system was installed. The system was initially based on Siemens Magic View 50 workstation and then was upgraded to Siemens Magic View 300 workstation. A cooperation with radiology departments in two regional hospitals was estabilished and teleconsultation of CT examinations was put into practice. ISDN line is used as a transmission medium and DICOM over TCP/IP as a transmission protocol. 3. Results Using the DICOM format, it was possible to assess original images and perform window adjustments, attenuation and linear measurements. In our country, there have already been some attempts to perform digital teletransmission of medical images as simple bitmaps, but it was obviously associated with partial loss of original information and postprocessing possibilities. In our system radiologists performing teleconsultations felt no difference between assessment of transmitted and locally performed examinations. The only problem was no incorporation of reporting system into the software of teleradiological workstation. Reports had to be created using local Radiology Information System (RIS) and then transmitted back by email in coded form and additionally by fax. Digital telephone line (ISDN) turned out probably as an optimal solution for periodical teletransmission of images. Taking advantage of WAN should be considered as a next step only in large teleconsultation centers, when efficiency of ISDN is not satisfactory. 4. Conclusion Teleradiological system in our department is a successful example of functioning specialist teleconsultation of CT examinations from regional hospitals. It is particularly useful for expert evaluation of difficult cases obtained from regional departments less experienced in assessment. However, currently in Poland, it is not broadly used probably not because of technical reasons or costs of implementation but because of no sufficient information about this possibility. Our system is one of the first attempts at introduction of teleradiology in Poland. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +4812-4213661; fax: +4812-4110446. E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Chrzan). 0531-5131/03 D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00228-0