Summary
Objective To review the rapid evolution of imaging informatics dealing with issues of management
and communication of digital images starting from the era of simple storage and transfer
of images to today’s world of interactive navigation in large sets of multidimensional
data.
Methods This paper will review the initial concepts of Picture Archiving and Communication
Systems (PACS) and the early developments and standardization efforts that lead to
the deployment of large intra-institutional networks of image distribution allowing
radiologists and physicians to access and review images digitally. With the deployment
of PACS came along the need for advanced tools for image visualization and image analysis.
Results Review of the history of PACS and Imaging Informatics clearly shows that the early
developments were focused on the radiologist’s requirements for diagnosis and image
interpretation. These early developments lagged behind the rapid adoption of digital
imaging in areas outside radiology. Only recently, imaging informatics shifted toward
the development of new tools geared toward the needs of other users such as surgeons,
referring physicians and care-providers, and even for the patients themselves. Also
in the recent years, the development of multimedia and communication tools in the
consumer market has influenced the design and strategic development of image management
platforms inside and outside healthcare institutions.
Conclusions The focus of imaging informatics has clearly shifted in the last decade from basic
infrastructure design to complete data and image navigation systems. While the challenge
of storing and managing large volumes of imaging data have slowly vanished with the
rapid development if information technology, the new challenge emerged from the new
requirements of image manipulation and analysis in clinical practice.
Keywords
Medical imaging - imaging informatics - PACS - image analysis workstations
