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Understanding and Using DICOM, the Data Interchange Standard for Biomedical Imaging

Affiliations of the authors: Division of Medical Informatics, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Center for Outcomes Measurement, Duke University Medical Center, Cognitive Science Branch, Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communication, National Library of Medicine, United States National Institutes of Health (WDB); Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (SDH); Philips Medical Systems (FWP); Merge Technologies (DEV).

Correspondence and reprints: W. Dean Bidgood, Jr., MD, Box 3321, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. E-mail: bidgood{at}nlm.nih.gov

Abstract The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Standard specifies a non-proprietary data interchange protocol, digital image format, and file structure for biomedical images and image-related information. The fundamental concepts of the DICOM message protocol, services, and information objects are reviewed as background for a detailed discussion of the functionality of DICOM; the innovations and limitations of the Standard; and the impact of various DICOM features on information system users. DICOM addresses five general application areas: (1) network image management, (2) network image interpretation management, (3) network print management, (4) imaging procedure management, (5) off-line storage media management. DICOM is a complete specification of the elements required to achieve a practical level of automatic interoperability between biomedical imaging computer systems—from application layer to bit-stream encoding. The Standard is being extended and expanded in modular fashion to support new applications and incorporate new technology. An interface to other Information Systems provides for shared management of patient, procedure, and results information related to images. A Conformance Statement template enables a knowledgeable user to determine if interoperability between two implementations is possible. Knowledge of DICOM's benefits and realistic understanding of its limitations enable one to use the Standard effectively as the basis for a long term implementation strategy for image management and communications systems.

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