Computer Assisted Radiology / Computergestutzte Radiologie

New imaging technology and more sophisticated image processing systems will have a profound effect on those areas of medicine which are concerned with imaging for diagnosis and therapy planning. Digitally formated data will form the basis of an increasing number of medical imaging modalities. Before the diagnostic imaging department of the future will largely be digital, many problems have still to be solved as regards image quality, costs, and ease of use. The computer and other information science derived methods will contribute towards solving many of the problems in these areas. It is widely expected that there will be an information science derived evolution in imaging for radiology and related departments. Computer assistance may be applied to image generation, e.g. CT, MRI, DR and DSR, storing and transferring of images, and viewing, analysing and interpreting of images. The application of computers to these activities (which characterise radiological departments), may be defined as Computer Assisted Radiology (CAR) . In the main, CAR will promote the transition from analog imaging systems to digital systems, integration of digital imaging modalities through Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS') and the graduated employment of Medica~ Work Stations (MWS) for diagnosis and therapy planning. It will transfer geographically, organisationally and/or mentally isolate imaging activities towards fully integrated multi-imaging modality diagnostic departments. This development will have a considerable impact on patient management, on the medical profession and on the health care system.