Evaluation of a Digital Telemammography System: A Model for a Regional System.
Abstract
Routine mammograms are an essential element of health care for adult women (1-5). Digital technology promises improved lesion detection and, in conjunction with teleradiology, improved access to mammography compared to current conventional techniques (6,7). However, because mammography requires high spatial resolution over a large area, good contrast resolution over a large dynamic range, and high detective efficiency for x-rays, the development of full-breast digital imaging (FBDI) technology has been slow (reviewed in 8). While FBDI technology will be implemented over the next three to five years, the current screen film mammography examinations will remain the standard for use in teleradiology systems. Digital imaging methods will ultimately replace analog (screen-film) systems; filmless systems will become an integral part of local- area and wide-area networks and digital x-ray mammography units will eventually reach the market. These modalities generate large volumes of digital data and thus will require an efficient communications interface if the data are to be managed in reasonable time frames. Furthermore, a standard interface must be implemented lest the telemammography benefits envisioned for the near future disappear into a costly and inefficient world of incompatible systems. We believe it is essential now, during the prototype stage of system development, to implement and evaluate an interface that satisfies the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM 3.0) standard (9-13)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA302411
Entities
People
- Ellen Shaw De Paredes
Organizations
- University of Virginia