title: Use of a thin-section archive and enterprise 3D software for long-term storage of thin-slice CT data sets.
abstract: Rapid advances are changing the technology and applications of multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanners. The major increase in data associated with this new technology, however, breaks most commercial picture archiving and communication system (PACS) architectures by preventing them from delivering data in real time to radiologists and outside clinicians. We proposed a phased model for 3D workflow, installed a thin-slice archive and measured thin-slice data storage over a period of 5 months. A mean of 1,869 CT studies were stored per month, with an average of 643 images per study and a mean total volume of 588 GB/month. We also surveyed 48 radiologists to determine diagnostic use, impressions of thin-slice value, and requirements for retention times. The majority of radiologists thought thin slice was helpful for diagnosis and regularly used the application. Permanent storage of thin slice CT is likely to become best practice and a mission-critical pursuit for the health care enterprise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. cmeenan@umm.edu
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meenan
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toland
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nagy
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed