Digital (R)Evolution in Radiology

Three decades have passed since my first personal experiences, influences and contacts with computer ap- plications in the field of medicine. These experiences were influenced by diverse presentations, publications and seminars concerning various applications of information technology as early as in 1970 (Univac Inter- national Executive Centre, Rome). The first clinical proposals and discussions during the first 'World Congress of Intensive Care Medicine' (London 197 4) strongly impressed me, since they demonstrated that the future of medicine would be changed rapidly by the use of computer technology. In 1975, when I started my radiology residency, my clinical and academic interests were focused on two major topics: (i) interventional radiology and the clinical responsibility of the radiologist for the patient and (ii) the improvement of radiological services for both the clinician and the patient through the use of digital technology. These two topics, firstly interventional radiology and, secondly, computer technology along with all digital techniques developed in respect to examinations and modalities have been the basis for my 'per- sonal evolution' of medicine, especially of digital radiology.