COMPUTER-GRAPHICS IN MEDICINE

Medical applications of computer graphics will not succeed unless they replace or eliminate more expensive procedures. We need to justify the information we deliver now in the context of clinical problems needing solutions. We also need to avoid the spiral where the diagnostic power of new imaging technologies accelerates our rush to respond with similarly high-tech (expensive) therapy. There is tremendous pressure to reduce CT and MR product costs. Like CT, MR and ultrasound costs have crested during the past few years. At the same time, capability has dramatically improved. The process has accelerated recently as if steroid-induced.