Michael Y. Park MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Byung Gil Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Our method using a Flash movie file is feasible, easy, and highly applicable for stack mode display of images in PowerPoint presentations, with additional enhanced image controls.

 Most radiology society meetings now use or convert PowerPoint presentations for oral presentations and electronic poster sessions. Often only a few radiologic images are inserted into PowerPoint to emphasize key findings. Although this is effective, previous papers published in the literature show that images in stack mode facilitate superior analysis of three-dimensional structures and anatomy.  We present a method using a Flash movie file that can be inserted into PowerPoint slides allowing images to be visualized in stack mode.

 Several methods of inserting images into PowerPoint in stack mode were evaluated, such as Flash, Visual Basic, ActiveX, movies, and animated images. Of these Flash offered a good balance between compatibility and customizability.  We created a Flash movie file that can be inserted into PowerPoint by copy and paste, which loads and displays external image files in stack mode. This requires only the Flash movie file, and doesn’t require the Adobe Flash application since no compilation is necessary. The Flash movie can be configured easily in PowerPoint to load a specific sequence of images. Since video projectors often have variable brightness, contrast, and resolution, real time brightness, contrast, and zoom controls are made available. Also a unique feature is the ability for several image sequences such as T1WIs and T2WIs to be inserted together and visualized side by side in linked stack mode.

 Previous methods in the literature using Flash have been introduced, but the Adobe Flash application is required which severely limits practical use. Other methods described in the literature require a change in security settings, special software, or have limited controls which limits practical use. An advantage of our method would be increased compatibility with Flash based conversion systems such as the recent digital presentation system at RNSA. A disadvantage would be requiring Flash player, but generally most computers have it already installed.

Park, M, Choi, B, What Radiologists Want to See: Stack Mode Display in PowerPoint.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6012490.html