Management and clinical utilization of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography in Hokkaido University Hospital picture archiving and communication system.

We made a preliminary assessment of the Hokkaido University picture archiving and communication system (HU-PACS). Data access time from either imaging machines or data base to workstations was 1.5 minutes, which is great benefit for data communication in routine examinations. Image quality of the work station was estimated in terms of brain computed tomography (CT) and digitized cerebral angiograms. Cerebral infarction was definitely observed on the cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor of the work station. Although the picture quality of CRT was acceptable, we had to manipulate window level and width for CRT diagnosis of cerebral angiography. Data compression was routinely used without significant degradation of those image quality. Nevertheless, further improvement of maneuverability of the workstation should be considered.