Low-cost digital teleradiology.

A teleradiology link based on standard personal computers and a flat-bed CCD scanner was tested. A 64 kbit/s dial-up digital ISDN telephone line was used for transmission. A total of 254 films (174 uncompressed, 80 compressed) were sent. Ninety-six per cent of the uncompressed images and 98% of the compressed images were considered technically acceptable. The total diagnostic agreement between the acceptable transmitted images and the original films was 98%. Image quality was sufficient for diagnosis in CT and conventional chest and bone radiographs. However, a 256-step gray scale of the scanner was not sufficient for demanding situations, such as overexposed images with a high contrast gradient. The average speed of transmission was 60 kbit/s, which was considered adequate. The tested system suggests that a teleradiology link based on standard personal computers and programs works in situations where instant consultation is needed. However, the image digitization time with the prototype system was quite long, and a better user interface is under development.