Teleradiology: a review.

Teleradiology, like telemedicine generally, has arisen because of the shift to digital communication and the demand for equal access to medical care. Unlike much of telemedicine, teleradiology can be shown to be cost-effective in many situations, particularly if the alternatives are to transport the X-ray film to a radiologist or to use the services of a visiting radiologist ('circuit riding'). A teleradiology system consists of an image-acquisition section and an image-display section, connected by a communications network. Considerable technical and clinical standardization work has been carried out (e.g. by the American College of Radiology) and commercial teleradiology systems are now available from a number of manufacturers. Up to 1994, more than 7000 teleradiology systems had been sold by the two largest manufactures. Technology trends suggest that it will soon be common for clinicians to view digital radiographs from outside radiology departments and probably from outside a hospital environment as well.