Image management and communications technology

The history of medical imaging can be dated from Rontgen’s discovery and first clinical use of X-rays in 1895. These first X-ray images were humble portents of the increasingly important role which medical imaging has assumed, particularly in the last 25 years. In fact, diagnostic radiology continued more or less unchanged from Rontgen’s discovery until digital computers were integrated with electronic imaging technology in the 1970’s. After Hounsfield (Hounsfield 1973) and Cormack’s development of computerised tomography (CT) there was been a rapid proliferation of new medical imaging technologies. These new technologies are now playing an increasingly important role in clinical diagnosis and patient management. With improvements in computing and communications technology continuing unabated, increased clinical utilisation of digital imaging technologies seems assured.