Implementing a teleradiology pilot system in Medellín, Colombia.

Abstract

Objective: To implement a teleradiology pilot system in Medellín city using software for remote access, this allows the communication and interpretation of biomedical images at distance.

Materials and methods: Images from different magnetic resonance and computed tomography studies stored in DICOM format were used. Data were transmitted in a point-to-point network using an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line between two radiological diagnostic centers. The system was developed under PC Intel’s x86 architecture, with Windows® 2000 as the operating system.

Results: In order to read and visualize images stored in DICOM format, a Java application with functions that allow their manipulation and the option to export them to other formats such as JPEG, TIFF and BMP was developed.

Conclusion: The system allows a clinically reliable diagnostic and remote interpretation for modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, with acceptable response times.