1997/05/01 by W. Dean Bidgood, W. D. Bidgood, S. C. Horii +5 · 444 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Computer Science · Medicine · #AI in cancer detection #Artificial intelligence #Biomedical Text Mining and Ontologies #Computer science #DICOM #Digital image #Digital imaging #Genomics and Rare Diseases #Image (mathematics) #Image processing #Interoperability #Medicine #Modular design #Multimedia #Operating system #Picture archiving and communication system #Protocol (science) #World Wide Web
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/jamia.1997.0040199
published in Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 4(3), 199-212 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 1997/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
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.