PACS Utilization in Radiologic Research

Abstract 

Rationale and Objectives

The authors investigated patterns of utilization of the digital picture archiving and communication system (PACS) in radiologic publications in order to ascertain whether there may be a correlation between PACS use and demographic/cultural factors such as geographic location, radiologic specialization, and use of advanced radiologic technologies.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1,037 articles in 22 randomly selected issues of AJR: American Journal of Roentgenology and of Radiology (1999–2001) were reviewed for the rate of PACS use and the type of PACS used. Articles for which PACS use or nonuse was established were further classified according to originating continent or region, imaging modality, study design (whether retrospective or prospective), and the use of advanced radiologic technology. The use of a PACS was then correlated with these factors. The data were recorded and statistics were prepared by means of statistical software. The nonparametric (χ²) test also was run by using this software.

Results

PACS had been used and reported in the preparation of 225 of the 1,037 articles. The type of PACS used was mini PACS (eg, systems using digital imaging and communications in medicine [DICOM] protocols or precursors) in 55 (24%) and department- or hospital-wide PACS in 161 (72%). Most of the articles for which use of a PACS was reported had originated in North America (60%), Europe (22%), or Asia (14%). PACS were used in almost half of retrospective studies and in one-fourth of prospective studies (P < .01). A low correlation was found between utilization of PACS and use of other advanced technologies.

Conclusion

Although PACS were utilized in the preparation of a substantial proportion of articles published in the two major radiology journals, there was a great disparity in the rate of PACS use among world regions. The proportion of studies originating in North America for which a PACS was used was nearly three times the number of similar studies originating in Europe, and more than four times the number originating in Asia.

Keywords:  Archiving, PACS, publication, radiology, research