Clinical evaluation of a digital fluorographic system

The authors describe a technique for digital fluorography developed from commercially available digital subtraction angiography equipment (Philips DVI-V with 14-inch image intensifier). The rapid acquisition of digital images with instantaneous retrieval and review makes this technique ideal for spot-film fluorography, and the system flexibility indicates a potential for widespread applications, when in a more developed form. The authors describe a clinical evaluation of the system used in upper gastrointestinal tract barium examinations. The logistic advantages of the system result in improved patient throughput, and rapid review improves control over dynamic examinations. Current limitations of matrix size can be significantly reduced with image processing