DICOMformátumú

DICOM, which stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, is a global standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. It encompasses image data as well as information about the patient, the imaging procedure, and the equipment used. The DICOM standard is maintained by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in the United States.

The DICOM format consists of two main parts: the DICOM file format and the DICOM network protocol. The file format defines how medical images and related data are stored in a file, typically with a .dcm extension. These files contain a header with metadata and the image pixel data itself. The network protocol, on the other hand, defines how DICOM-compliant devices, such as scanners, workstations, and archival systems, communicate with each other.

DICOM is crucial for interoperability within healthcare systems. It allows different imaging devices and software from various manufacturers to exchange data seamlessly. This standardization facilitates efficient workflow in radiology departments, enabling images acquired on one system to be viewed, processed, and archived on another. Common applications of DICOM include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound images. The standard also addresses aspects like image security and privacy through mechanisms like anonymization.