title: The usefulness of free dicom viewers in rhinologic practice.
abstract: Indroduction: The planning of the course of surgery in patients with paranasal sinus disorders requires the meticulous evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans. However, ENT doctors still often receive unsatisfactory DICOM images, which require multiplanar reconstruction (MPR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate and test DICOM viewers with MPR function currently available on the Internet for free.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed Internet searches and analysis of databases were carried out to find the maximum number of browsers. Available software was downloaded to assess, qualitatively and quantitatively, the parameters and functions useful in rhinologic practice. Additionally, a questionnaire was developed in order to ascertain the expectations and habits of ENT doctors in relation to DICOM browsers and CT scan evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the hundreds of browsers, 17 programs were chosen to be included in the final comparison. The outcomes of the survey proved that many free DICOM tools are effective alternatives to commercially available programs. However, the results do not enable us to predict precisely which tool will meet the needs of each physician. The survey among ENT doctors highlighted their limited awareness of software with MPR functions, in particular those that scored best in the test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frączek
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolator
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kręcicki
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords:  diagnosis;  paranasal sinuses ;  sinusitis;  surgery;  tomography; DICOM browsers