Improved diagnosis with digital radiography

Abstract

In radiodiagnosis, much effort is spent in reducing the radiation dose and simultaneously improving the information obtained with radiographs. Computer technology has the potential to significantly impact radiography in medicine and in dentistry to achieve these goals. Advanced digital imaging techniques will be available for the general practitioner within the next decade. Storage and retrieval of images, contrast enhancement, and noise reduction are some examples of basic image manipulation tools. Subtraction radiography and image reconstruction will improve diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical knowledge of dentists and radiologists will be incorporated into computer programs to perform more sophisticated tasks in the form of automated image analysis and computer-aided image interpretation.