What is Teleradiology?

The Digital Advantage

The veterinary industry is on the verge of a revolutionary change in the way we practice medicine. Soon, digital technologies will replace most of our everyday tools. The greatest change in our industry is the addition of Digital Radiography.

CR vs DR

Computed radiography (CR)

Computed radiography systems replace the film, intensifying screen, and cassette used in traditional radiography systems with an imaging plate. Additionally, the wet film processor used in conventional radiography is replaced with a digital imaging reader. These are significantly lower cost systems, and do have some advantages over the higher prices DR systems.

Why go with CR?

• A digital image is generated
• Ability to retrofit to existing radiography equipment
• Excellent image quality
• Initially less expensive than DR
• The imaging systems used can often overcome bad technique. Taking the image from over-exposed to perfect in the swipe of a mouse.

Why not CR?

• Still have to use an imaging plate
• Need to purchase an imaging reader

Direct Digital Radiography (DR)

Direct digital radiography is a method of digital radiography where the conventional radiographic cassette and film are replaced with a digital imaging sensor. This imaging sensor is either permanently affixed to an xray table or attached to the DR computer by a wire.

Why go with DR?

• No processing time and immediate image acquisition
• No imaging plates or cassettes to hassle with
• Excellent image quality.

Why not DR?

• More expensive than CR (Up to $120,000 more)
• Cannot perform cross table radiography if the imaging sensor is attached to the table. This is of special concern to individuals who practice on exotics.
• The imaging sensor is more expensive to replace than an imaging plate or cassette