An interactive system for clinical application of angiodensitometry

In conventional x-ray diagnostics the physician’s diagnosis is mainly based on form, size and structure of organs shown on an x-ray projection. This point of view called morphological diagnostics has been essentially improved by the computed tomography, which allows a threedimensional reconstruction of the density of the tissue. In a growing number of cases, however, the physician is interested in the time course of processes in organs, which may contain information on the function of the organ examined. For this purpose a series of x-ray pictures of the organ is recorded on film or video tape (angiogram) after the injection of a contrast medium. Conventionally this series is examined by the physician in a qualitative man-ner. Heintzen et al.2 and Vanselow, Heuck et al.3 have shown that the diagnostic value can be essentially improved by quantitative measurements. However, with the technology available up to now these methods require complicated procedures. Thus a large scale clinical application was not possible.