Volumetric CT angiography and CT colonoscopy are capable of creating 150 to 700 images per study. Consequently, radiologists need new methods to efficiently and accurately analyze these large data sets. If integrated into the routine daily work flow, radiologists can use these advanced imaging techniques to help them analyze large data sets. Images are transferred to 3-D workstation for analysis. Reformatted images are pushed back to PACS gateway and verified.
Reconstructions appear as a new series attached to the exam on a viewing workstation.
This work flow is an ideal model. We learned extensively from our initial experiences, and we have avoided many pitfalls through trial efforts. For example, images do not network through the gateways without failure and not all scanners have the ability to automatically transfer images to the gateway. In the case of older scanners, the automatic transfer function inhibits the performance of the scanner, slowing the reconstruction of raw data. Consequently, technologists manually push studies to the gateway, delaying their arrival in the system.