SeriesInstanceUID

SeriesInstanceUID is a DICOM data element that provides a globally unique identifier for a single imaging series within a study. The element has the tag (0020,000E) and contains a UID (Unique Identifier). A series represents a set of images acquired in a single imaging session with the same modality or protocol. The SeriesInstanceUID is generated when the series is created and remains constant for the entire series; it is intended to be unique across the entire realm of DICOM-enabled systems, enabling unambiguous reference to that series regardless of file format or platform.

In practice, the SeriesInstanceUID is used in combination with StudyInstanceUID (0020,000D) and SOPInstanceUID (0008,0018) to identify and retrieve images. All instances within the series (the images themselves) share the same SeriesInstanceUID; each image also has its own SOPInstanceUID. This hierarchical use allows workflows such as querying, retrieving, and organizing data within PACS and other DICOM-compliant systems.

Generation and management of UID values follow standardized rules, typically defined by ISO/IEC standards used by DICOM. UIDs are usually created by the modality, workstation, or PACS to ensure global uniqueness. Practically, preserving SeriesInstanceUIDs when moving or copying datasets helps maintain referential integrity; creating new datasets with new UIDs can break links to related images or studies.

Overall, SeriesInstanceUID plays a central role in the organization and retrieval of medical imaging data, providing a stable, unique tag for every imaging series within a study.