The medical world as we know today has rapidly changed primarily by incorporating the newest technology into patient management. One of the most deeply interconnected with technology is the field of radiology. New technologies are introduced in every year. This paper will discuss the impact of digitisation of radiological examination and the use of Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in revolutioning the radiology practice.
Diagnostic Accuracy
Diagnostic accuracy may be improved in digital radiology. By using the Computer Aided Detection (CAD), the observational oversight of the radiologist is reduced, resulting in fewer false negative results. (Castellino, 2005) Might be missed visually by an unaided radiologist, subtle fractures in a complex anatomical region may be pinpointed by the system. The CAD improves the diagnostic accuracy in detecting vertebral fracture. (Kasai et al, 2008) It also works in …show more content…
Mammography enables detection of breast cancer in the early stage in which surgery may be curative. While digital mammography doe not have a statistically significance detection rate for a cancer in thin patients aged 50-69 compared to the conventional one (Skaan and Skjennald, 2004), digital mammography has a higher sensitivity in screening young woman with dense breast compared to the conventional one. (Kerlikowske et al, 2011) The increase diagnostic performance is partly cause by the ability of digitised image to be magnified without losing its resolution. In relation to the study of Skaan and Skjennald, the cause of the same rate of detection between the digital and conventional mammography lies in their population which involve thin patients with a relatively small breast volume. In digital mammography, the radiologist may also alter the tissue contrast to visualise better any suspicious mass, especially in dense breasts. (Faridah,