Digital fluorography in gastroenterological radiology

The clinical value of two digital fluoroscopy systems not connected to a PACS was investigated and compared with that of conventional radiology. Some critical variables were considered: image intensifier diameter, image definition, examination time, acquisition speed, patient exposure and finally film consumption. The main problems in the use of the digital techniques consisted in the limited size of the examination fields, which was not big enough to demonstrate the whole colon during double contrast enema, and in the difficult representation of the actual size on the image printed on the laser films. Definition was considered as sufficient for GI examinations. The main advantages consisted in acquisition speed, allowing detailed examinations of cervical esophagus, cardias and fistulous tracts, reduced patient dose and finally the real time visualization of the acquired image on the TV monitor.