Picture archiving and communication systems: past, present, and future

Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) that digitally acquire, archive, transmit, and display medical images ultimately enabled the transition from an analog film-based operation to a digital workflow revolutionizing radiology. This article briefly traces early generation systems to present-day PACS, noting challenges along with key technological advances and benefits. Thoughts for future PACS evolution are discussed including the promise of integration of artificial intelligence applications.