OSPACS: Ultrasound image management system.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound scanning uses the medical imaging format, DICOM, for electronically storing the images and data associated with a particular scan. Large health care facilities typically use a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for storing and retrieving such images. However, these systems are usually not suitable for managing large collections of anonymized ultrasound images gathered during a clinical screening trial.


RESULTS
We have developed a system enabling the accurate archiving and management of ultrasound images gathered during a clinical screening trial. It is based upon a Windows application utilizing an open-source DICOM image viewer and a relational database. The system automates the bulk import of DICOM files from removable media by cross-validating the patient information against an external database, anonymizing the data as well as the image, and then storing the contents of the file as a field in a database record. These image records may then be retrieved from the database and presented in a tree-view control so that the user can select particular images for display in a DICOM viewer or export them to external media.


CONCLUSIONS
This system provides error-free automation of ultrasound image archiving and management, suitable for use in a clinical trial. An open-source project has been established to promote continued development of the system.
Gynaecological Cancer Research Laboratories, UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Paul O'Gorman Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. c.jones@ucl.ac.uk.
Will
W
Stott
Andy
A
Ryan
Ian J
IJ
Jacobs
Usha
U
Menon
Conrad
C
Bessant
Christopher
C
Jones