Indexing and retrieving DICOM data in disperse and unstructured archives.
OBJECTIVE
This paper proposes an indexing and retrieval solution to gather information from distributed DICOM documents by allowing searches and access to the virtual data repository using a Google-like process.


METHODS
The medical imaging modalities are becoming more powerful and less expensive. The result is the proliferation of equipment acquisition by imaging centers, including the small ones. With this dispersion of data, it is not easy to take advantage of all the information that can be retrieved from these studies. Furthermore, many of these small centers do not have large enough requirements to justify the acquisition of a traditional PACS.


RESULTS
A peer-to-peer PACS platform to index and query DICOM files over a set of distributed repositories that are logically viewed as a single federated unit. The solution is based on a public domain document-indexing engine and extends traditional PACS query and retrieval mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
This proposal deals well with complex searching requirements, from a single desktop environment to distributed scenarios. The solution performance and robustness were demonstrated in trials. The characteristics of presented PACS platform make it particularly important for small institutions, including educational and research groups.
Costa
Carlos
C
University of Aveiro, DETI/IEETA, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. carlos.costa@ua.pt
Freitas
Filipe
F
Pereira
Marco
M
Silva
Augusto
A
Oliveira
José L
JL
D000043:Abstracting and Indexing; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057386:Search Engine; D018511:Systems Integration; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface