From Images to Insights: A Guide to Converting DICOM Files into Usable Formats

In medical imaging, you’ll always need to convert medical images so that they are easily viewable on non-medical software and non-specialized applications during analysis. This is where DICOM conversion tools come into play. They help bridge the gap between specialized medical imaging systems and the need for accessibility when sharing medical images.

However, DICOM conversion is a rather complex landscape. Expertise is required to be able to choose the right DICOM tool for your medical needs since you’re dealing with sensitive medical data that you must turn into usable formats.

In that case, this write-up delves into the conversion of DICOM files to help you turn images into important medical insights. Read on!

What Exactly is DICOM?  

DICOM is an acronym for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. In medical imaging, it’s viewed as the standard for handling, storing, and transmitting information.

You see, medical imaging data usually comes in the DICOM format, making conversion a necessary process. After conversion, you’ll have common formats such as JPEG, PNG, BMP, and GIF, which are readable on various medical and non-medical imaging systems.

Tools and Methods for DICOM Conversion

There are various forms of conversion tools, each with unique capabilities based on your needs and preferences. Below are the commonly used tools and methods for DICOM conversion.

• Command-line tools: These software programs allow you to interact with computer systems by typing commands into a text-based interface instead of using agraphical user interface (GUI). 
• Open-source tools: As the name suggests, the source codes of these programs are available for public use, distribution, and modification. They are readily available on platforms like GitHub and GitLab. Excellent examples of open-source tools include Git and SonarQube.
• Python libraries: Python libraries like Pillow and Pydicom are collections of pre-written code that developers use to solve common programming tasks. Since they contain modules, functions, and packages, they promote code reusability when solving everyday programming tasks.   
• Cloud-based solutions: These services exist on the internet instead of being stored on local servers. They are usually hosted in data centers and are managed by cloud service providers. Excellent examples are Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox.  

Common Usable Formats  

Some of the formats commonly used in medical imaging due to their accessibility and seamlessness are:

1. JPEG

To convert DICOM to JPEG, select the DICOM file you want to download. Choose the series you wish to download, and once it's loaded, select the "Save All Images" option. Wait for the conversion to complete, and then download the converted image.

2. PNG

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphic. It's a type of raster image file widely used in web design and medical imaging. To convert DICOM to PNG, start by clicking the DCOM file you wish to convert. Drag and drop the file on your upload form and select the output format you want. Click the "Convert" button and wait for the file to complete the conversion so you can download the PNG file.

3. TIFF

TIFF refers to Tagged Image File Format. This file format uses lossless compression and is widely used for storing raster graphics. To convert DICOM to TIFF, choose the file from your computer and select the file you want downloaded. Click the "Convert" button and wait for the upload to complete. The conversion results will display on your web page once the upload is complete.

4. NIfTI (Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative) Format

Many consider NIfTI to be the most useful format. To use it, you can start by installing Python (version 3.6 or higher). From there, go ahead and import the required libraries and organize your DICOM files in a single directory. Finally, convert DICOM to NIfTI using the dicom2nifti library and verify the conversion.  

How to Choose the Ideal DICOM Tool for Your Facility

Apart from visual data, DICOM images contain metadata. These are elements that provide context about the image and the patient. This includes patient information, annotations, and image acquisition parameters. With that in mind, below are tips on how to choose the ideal DICOM tool to seamlessly process medical imaging data.

• Security and privacy: To manage medical imaging data securely and efficiently, ensure the tool you’re using can remove or obfuscate patient information. Additionally, look for a tool that complies with relevant healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA, to ensure patient confidentiality and data integrity.
• User expertise: Assess your technical skills to determine the ideal tool for you. Command-line tools often require more expertise than GUI-based tools.   
• Volume conversions:Ultima and DICOMatic offer batch processing capabilities. They are ideal for handling high-volume needs.
• Conversion needs:Whether it’s converting DICOM to PDF or DICOM to JPEG, the tool you choose should support the conversions you need.
• Budget: Based on your needs, you can opt for free or paid solutions. Free tools like MicroDicom are usually open-source and offer basic features, while paid solutions offer more advanced features and support.
• Integration requirements:Note that you can integrate DICOM tools with existing systems. In this case, experts advise that you go for enterprise-grade solutions.

Common DICOM Conversion Issues and How to Solve Them

Medical imaging files are usually large because they contain imaging data and detailed metadata. This makes it difficult to handle DICOM files despite DICOM being an international standard for managing and communicating medical images. So, below are the common DICOM conversion issues you may encounter and how to solve them.

• Metadata preservation:Ensure the tool you're using preserves essential DICOM tags when converting files.
• Conversion errors:Always update your tool to benefit from the latest DICOM standards.  
• Image quality loss:Use high-quality settings for crucial images. Also, ensure you're utilizing lossless formats, as they ensure you don't lose any data during compression.
• Compatibility issues: Check if the output format is compatible with your intended viewing software, including web browser, medical image viewer, and word processor.
• Large file sizes: The tool you're using should have compression options for storage efficiency and faster transfer of files.

Final Thought

DICOM conversion tools are essential in everyday healthcare settings. However, you’ll need to choose a tool that aligns with your needs.

So, if you are an advanced user, go for professional-grade tools to be able to handle large volumes of images. For basic conversions and viewing needs, try to strike a balance between ease of use and the necessary features.