IMAGE SERVER APPLICATION FOR THE EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION OF A RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

In radiology picture information is increasingly acquired digitally. I mage postprocessing is sometimes carried out via the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). In this paper we present a strategy for the simple implementation of an external picture com munication sy stem. Methods: Image transfer for the entire radiology department is c arried out through a single image server, which physically and logical ly separates the PACS from the external network. The server is organiz ed as an image mailbox system. For each user the images can be transfe rred to their respective mailbox from the radiology department. Howeve r, direct access to the image archive is prevented by the system. Resu lts: Because the networks are separate, a high degree of access securi ty is guaranteed. New users can easily be added to the server without additional configuration of the PACS. System usage has received wide a cceptance within the department and with external users. Conclusions: The integration of an image server into a PACS has proved to be non-pr oblematic. The concept allows for more effective information sharing i n the field of teleradiology.