The Impact of Technology on Imaging Departments - Term Paper Example

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON IMAGING DEPARTMENTS Student’s name Course Professor’s name Institution City/ State Date Introduction Medical imaging has undergone tremendous technological changes with time. The utilization of traditional hard copies of poorly processed and often difficult to interpret radiological films have evolved into sophisticated soft copies and groundbreaking technology films in 3D (Cheddad et, 2010). These technological advancements in the imaging industry have had a phenomenal effect on patient diagnoses and care. The storage of patient data has been made safer with fast retrieval through the utilization of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) (Cooke, 2003). The coupling of PACS with Digital and Image Communication in Medicine (DICOM), have taken modern medical practice to a whole new dimension. These systems have made it possible for different radiologists to work on an image and can allow the physicians access to the image data in a very fast and a reliable manner (Huang et al, 2013). This transition to digital imaging brings flexibility and avails the required information with detailed data which makes patient diagnosis and treatment better, fast and more reliable (Hricak et al, 2011). This paper examines these great technological achievements in medical imaging and their impact on patient diagnoses and care. Fast retrieval of medical information. Although it is making promising advances, picture archiving and communication systems are still facing challenges in its application to medical imaging (Yaffe, 2006). This is because the medical data for diagnoses and therapy in our hospitals is huge and cumbersome, he explains (Yaffe 2006). Ideally, PACS when in full operation; is supposed to eliminate the current films we still use in many hospitals. PACS has reduced the time frame between diagnosis and treatment since the medical images are available for all the patient’s care providers immediately (IOM, 2000) In the Intensive care Unit and the Emergency departments where the diagnostic images are interpreted by savants, PACS enables physicians to send the images to these professionals wherever they are (IOM, 2000). This ensures that the correct image diagnosis is made in a timely manner and correct medical treatment initiated on time. Since most diseases affect more than one organ system, it is necessary for physicians specializing in various body systems to consult each other and share information for better and more accurate patient diagnosis. This consultation process among the patient care team is made more efficient by PACS since the physicians do not have to do a physical consultation which reduces the diagnosis time (IOM, 2000). In some chronic medical conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis, which requires constant follow up with colonoscopy, PACS makes the diagnosis of colon cancer easier due to the availability of imaging at various time intervals (Yoshinda and Nappi 2001). Since medical data is very sensitive, PACS also faces the challenge of security to guard and protect patient confidentiality (Rosset et al, 2006). Unparalleled image quality The most important feature of PACS that improves patient diagnoses other than storage and fast retrieval is the image acquisition and image quality, which have improved patient diagnosis (IOM, 2000). The emergence of Computed Axial tomography was a breakthrough in many diagnostic and interventions in medical practices (Bushberg et al, 2011). Since the past decade, the X-ray films have been almost entirely replaced by the CAT scan in medical practice, especially in the developed world. Thanks to the Flat Panel Detector (FPD) technology, which allows for on time X-rays conversion (Beutel et al, 2000). In the diagnosis of the gastrointestinal system malignancies, especially the lower gastrointestinal system has improved due to CT Colonography (Yoshida and Nappi, 2001). The high specificity and sensitivity of CT colonography as well its high tolerance among the elderly and the physically weak make it a very important diagnostic modality (Rosset et al, 2006). The ability of the CAT scan to take a 3600 high-resolution image of internal organs has made this possible. Initially, barium enemas were so unspecific in diagnosing colon cancers cause it was hard to differentiate between, polyps, tumors and benign conditions like diverticulitis or early stage Chronic colitis (Van Ginneken et al, 2001). The reduction in the duration of radio energy exposure to patients has also improved exponentially, according to research by Breslauer et al. (2009). The imaging of intracranial pathologies like intracranial malignancies can be better defined by using the computer-aided diagnosis to tell the extent and hence enable the neurosurgeon to decide whether the lesion is operable or not (Rangayyan et al. 2007). A functional MRI can enable physicians to perform real-time diagnoses and therapy interventions due to excellent visualization of the organ systems (Doi, 2014). The diagnosis of psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia is made possible by the functional MRI in that it enables the viewing of the and localization of the brain pathology to specific lobes like the frontal lobe in schizophrenics and patients with Pick’s dementia (Dale and Halgren, 2001). The 21st century has seen the incredible improvements and development of the CT scan and the MRI. Cerebral accidents can be differentiated using the cone beam CT scan which is indispensable in treatment decision depending on the hemorrhagic or ischemic pathogenesis of the stroke, (Semelka et al, 2007). CT angiography is used to investigate seizures of unknown etiology when the clot is highly suspected as the cause. The CT angiography not only serves as a diagnostic but also as a therapeutic procedure to lyse or remove the clot through suction (Semelka et al, 2007). Often in our era, the radiologists or physicians have discovered that superior medical data can be acquired by the combination of two imaging modalities; for example, a PET and a CT (Woods, 2013). The imaging of the skeletal system has been improved from pure dependence on X-ray to the use of Positron Emission Tomography and SPECT (Doi, 2007). In the paediatric population as well as the antenatal stage of development; the storage of ultrasound images by analog to digital conversion has reduced the number of congenital anomalies or chromosomal aberrations (Koopman et al, 2011). The quality images narrow down the range of possible diagnoses and enables physicians to arrive at a diagnosis faster and with a higher level of confidence; for example in optical coherence tomography. (Fujimoto et al, 1995). Previously, before the improvement and the advent of the current modalities, doctors made their diagnoses based on second guessing (Arenson et al, 1988). This is because they could not visualize the affected tissues clearly or localize them with precision as they can do now. There is a definite direct proportion between the quality of imaging produced and the advancement of imaging technology, due to Analogue-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) which has led to better prognosis (Yoshizumi & Samei, 2009). Safety of the patient Research shows that modern medical imaging as a result of digitization, exposes patients to lower doses of ionizing radiation compared to the traditional methods (Fazel et al, 2009). The markedly reduced exposure time and intensity due to the use of the flat panel and image intensifiers have reduced patient exposure by 20% (Fazel et al, 2009). The quality of images produced by these FPD, is very high, resulting in better diagnosis. The fact that PACS and DICOM are taking over the traditional hardcopy films, the misplacement or loss of these data either by the patient or the hospital staff is going to be eliminated (Huang et al, 2013). The readily available patient imaging data quickens the diagnosis process leading to better patient management (Greis, 2004). The loss of such data has always been an issue traditionally because the patient would have to undergo the imaging test again, which, exposes the patient to more radiation as well as delay the diagnosis and management (Yoshizumi & Samei, 2009). Arguably, patients would be exposed to more radiation with the popularity of digitised imaging in medical practice raising the fear that imaging will become a conventional diagnostic procedure in the near future (Lehmann et al, 2003). It is possible that over-reliance on clinical practice on digitised imaging might pose the danger of patient overexposure to ionising radiation, but given the very low radiation levels in the current day modalities; the effect will not be severe (Fazel et al, 2009). Faster sharing of medical information Digital radiography is aimed at availing data anywhere, anytime to the right targets explains Li and Zhou (2007). The PACS and the DICOM systems are working towards the achievement of this goal (Li & Zhou, 2007). With these systems, the radiologists will be able to work with information from anywhere at any given time. The informational flow among the physicians and the imaging personnel is made more efficient and instant by PACS (IOM, 2000). Besides, most health care facilities located in remote areas in the world cannot afford to hire expensive radiologists (Ntiziachristos & Chance, 2000). These patients can benefit from tele-reporting in that a radiologist or a radiographer anywhere can get the job done at a lower cost (Meyer, 1994). Although tele-reporting is cost effective, it has a downside in that qualification of an online radiologist cannot be readily verified (Way et al, 2006). Furthermore, with the booming of the tele-reporting market, the communication flow between the radiographers, the physicians, and the patients is not interrupted (Woods, 2013). Moreover, these patients can access the information from their countries about their diagnoses and therapies via tele-reporting (Nahle et al, 2011). Post processing of images Digital imaging communication and PACS not only avail real time images but can also allow the radiologists or the physicians to work with the obtained pictures to enhance the diagnostic precision and accuracy (Muller et al, 2004). Image post-processing procedures for different imaging modalities improve patient diagnosis and treatment. These include windowing, image reformatting, magnification and region of interest which are employed in modern imaging modalities such as Computerized Tomography to enhance medical images (IOM, 2000). Subtraction of images from a sequence, gray scale processing and analytic processing used in digital subtracting angiography and digital fluoroscopy have improved the diagnosis and therapy of the cardiovascular system by increasing clarity and quality of the images, enabling the physicians to make a quick decision on whether to perform a coronary artery bypass graft or less invasive procedures like stenting or using thrombolytics (Rosset et al, 2006). Grayscale processing offers a better definition in poorly defined pathologic lesions like early stage osteosarcomas and mild ascites which would not be possible to diagnose with the traditional films at this early stage (Arenson et al, 1988). Histogram based intensity windowing, mixture model intensity windowing , and unsharp masking are some of the operations done in digital mammography that help to evaluate breast pathology (Cheddad et al, 2010). The post process image manipulation is not possible with the conventional imaging where hardcopy films are printed and cannot be otherwise altered to enhance the diagnostic process (Pianykh, 2009). Conclusion Medical imaging has indeed realized great technological advancements over the years due to the digitization of the modalities. The new techniques used in the medical field have shaped diagnosis and therapy in the 21st century (Pantanowitz, 2010). Although still undergoing research and development, the PACS and DICOM systems are slowly but surely transforming the clinical practice in our modern day (Taira et al, 1988). The possibilities of fast image acquisition and increased patient safety ensures less diagnostic time and safer medical data (Cooke et al, 2003). Tele-reporting ensures a continuous availability of interpreters of medical imaging at all times (Breslauer, 2009). Since PACS and DICOM require huge space, perhaps cloud information storage is going to be an answer; otherwise, information jamming is inevitable (Cheddad et al, 2010). Although the argument supports that the traditional methods had much higher exposure; reassessing this phenomenon after a long enough time of PACS and DICOM use, will yield comparable results (Fazel et al, 2009). The security of patient information and confidentiality is huge in PACS and DICOM systems. With cyber criminology, it is possible that this sensitive data can be leaked and patient confidentiality breached. It is, therefore, important that a very secure protective system is developed to guard against this possible hazard (Doi, 2014). References Arenson, R.L., Seshadri, S.B., Kundel, H.L., DeSimone, D., Van der Voorde, F., Gefter, W.B., Epstein, D.M., Miller, W.T., Aronchick, J.M. and Simson, M.B., 1988. 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