Current reporting in radiology. What will happen tomorrow?

Reporting in radiology faces considerable changes in the near future that will be influenced by a broader understanding of the task and increasing technological possibilities. Until now a radiological report could be regarded as a text phrased by a radiologist after viewing imaging data. New solutions will be accessed by advances in visualization of large datasets, in extracting, analyzing, and communicating metadata as well as by improved integration and interpretation of clinical information. Virtual reality, texture analysis, growing networks, semantic annotation, data mining and context based presentation have the potential to extensively change the everyday working routine. Although many of these developments are still in a laboratory phase, the impact on the process of reporting can already be predicted. As the leading community in information analysis and technology, radiology as a subject should strive to lead and shape these impending changes.