ABSTRACT

Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) is the internationally accepted standard used for storing, exchanging, and transmitting medical image data: by agreeing and unifying on a common standard a 'mixed-vendor' environment is possible. Its features include image storage, retrieval, and display. DICOM conformance statements are important but extremely lengthy documents issued for each piece of equipment, such as a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), CR console, CT scanner, which detail in depth the particular machine's specific compliance and implementation of the DICOM standard. To view individual DICOM images away from the medical environment where the original PACS viewer is not available, a dedicated program can be used to open the files. In daily practice, images viewed away from a PACS environment are typically presented on what is known as 'offline media'. Viewing the DICOM standard is free and easily accessible on the internet via the NEMA website.