PACS in sonography: accuracy of interpretation using film compared with monitor display. Picture archiving and communication systems.

Comparison of PACS and Hard-copy 51-inch Radiographs for Measuring Leg Length and Deformity

“…They concluded that standing full-length radiographs are as equally reliable as a scanogram for measuring LLD. Other studies report no differences in the reliability, accuracy, and diagnostic performance of digital imaging versus hard-copy radiographs [1,2,4,6,7,9,13] . By comparing all the extremity lengths and angular variations, and on valuating the difference in data, the digitally acquired images in PACS permit a smooth transition in clinical reliability.…”

“…Digitally acquired images distributed on a PACS system are rapidly gaining acceptance as state-of-the-art radiology [2,12]. Sanfridsson [11] warned that protocols must be established to appropriately measure distances and angles on these digital images.…”

“…Several studies have compared the reliability, accuracy, and diagnostic performance of digital imaging versus hard-copy radiographs for fracture interpretation [1], interpretation of sonograms [2], hand radiographs [4], chest, brain, and abdominal CT scans [6,13], MRI for meniscal tears [7], chest radiographs [13], and comparison of standing full-length radiographs versus scanograms for patients with LLD [9]. These studies found no differences for either system.…”

The influence of liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors on observer performance for the detection of nodular lesions on chest radiographs

“…A considerable number of studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] have been conducted to determine whether or not a CRT display monitor was an acceptable alternative to the traditional light box-viewing method of film images. Although a CRT monitor with an appropriate display performance (such as resolution, luminance range, gray scale, contrast, etc.)…”

Reviewer's comment

“…Its accuracy has been investigated with sonography, and no statistically significant difference in the error rate for film versus monitor display format could be found [2]. However, its accuracy for determination of dimensions from CT scans has not yet been determined.…”