Strategies for the Evaluating of Computed Tomography in Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Abstract

<p>The introduction of a new radiologic imaging technology requires an assessment of its proper place in the diagnosis and treatment of specified conditions. In terms of its use in diagnosis, computed tomography must be evaluated with reference to the existing diagnostic process to determine whether its contribution is likely to have any beneficial impact on the patient. In terms of its use in therapy, the special ability of computed tomography to make an image of soft tissue points to its potential use in the initial staging of malignant neoplastic disease.</p> <p>The objective of this thesis is to propose a methodology of evaluation of Computed Body Tomography that may be carried out in association with normal clinical practice, and to illustrate this with a diagnostic example and a therapeutic example. In both instances there are two steps to the evaluation. First, a comparison of the accuracy of the information of computed tomography against the conventional diagnostic tests. Second, the strategy for evaluating the benefit of the introduction of computed tomography in the diagnostic and therapeutic examples.</p>