Gone but not completely forgotten: Pictorial review of “antiquated” radiologic procedures

The field of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology has always been characterized by constant innovation and creativity to evolve to its current form. There are numerous imaging techniques that were once prevalent but have become outdated and were replaced by the current examinations and modalities, which improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Many of these outdated examinations were first described in the journal Radiology during its first 100 years of existence and were subsequently able to be disseminated across its vast readership to become the standard of care across the nation and the world. These earlier techniques, such as pneumoencephalography as it applies to neuroimaging and neurosurgery; kymography, a predecessor of cardiac imaging; contrast agents such as Thorotrast; and miscellaneous cultural tools, such as the shoefitting fluoroscope, left lasting impressions on the current practice of radiology and reflect a small subset of the imaging examinations of our predecessors. Knowledge of historic radiologic examinations and procedures is important to understand how we have arrived at the current practice of radiology we embrace today and how our field can continue to evolve to improve our diagnostic and therapeutic abilities to fit the changing needs of our patients.