DICOM

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

DICOM - Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

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Example of a DICOM network

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is the international standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. It includes a file format definition and a network communications protocol. DICOM enables the integration of medical imaging devices such as scanners, servers, workstations, printers, network hardware, and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) from multiple manufacturers.

History[edit | edit source]

The development of DICOM started in the 1980s to address the need for standardization in the field of medical imaging. ACR and NEMA played a crucial role in its development.

Technical Overview[edit | edit source]

File Format[edit | edit source]

DICOM standardizes the format for medical images. This includes metadata such as patient ID, type of scan, image dimensions, and a host of other information.

Network Protocol[edit | edit source]

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Structure of a DICOM file

It defines a protocol for transmitting these images and associated information over a network, ensuring secure and reliable communication between different systems.

Applications[edit | edit source]

DICOM is widely used in various medical imaging techniques including radiology, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT scans, ultrasound, and digital radiography.

DICOM Files[edit | edit source]

DICOM files can be identified by their .dcm file extension. These files contain both the image data and the associated metadata.

Challenges and Limitations[edit | edit source]

While DICOM is a robust standard, it faces challenges like interoperability issues among different vendors, data security concerns, and the need for constant updates to keep pace with evolving technologies.

Future Developments[edit | edit source]

Ongoing developments in DICOM focus on enhancing data security, improving 3D imaging capabilities, and integrating AI technologies.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

1. DICOM Official Website 2. Comprehensive Overview of DICOM

External Links[edit | edit source]

DICOM Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
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