Medical imaging strategies.

Computed tomography (CT), intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA), digital radiographic image processing and dual energy subtraction are four examples of medical imaging strategies that have met with various degrees of success as judged by diagnostic performance. The success of CT has been spectacular; IV-DSA has provided modest benefits; digital image processing of chest radiographs has been singularly disappointing; and the verdict on dual energy subtraction is undecided. The degree of success of each of these techniques can be understood by considering the degree to which each simplifies image interpretation or isolates a fingerprint of disease.