Integration of the digital imaging and communications in medicine standardinto an oral and maxillofacial image management and communication system

Objective, The purpose of this study was to provide developmental informati on about digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) support app lications for an image management and communication system (IMACS). Study design, An oral and maxillofacial radiology IMACS that uses a proprie tary image format was implemented in March 1997 in a general hospital denta l clinic that supports more than 100 cubicles. DICOM was implemented into t his system in 1998. Results. In March 1997, the clinic directly began processing oral and maxil lofacial radiographs with digital image acquisition devices or converted th em into proprietary digital format with a film digitizer. The digital image s could then be viewed at workstations in the 11 different divisions of the department. A DICOM module was implemented to convert proprietary images i nto DICOM in lune 1998. After the release of DICOM Supplement 32 on a digit al x-ray, DICOM was implemented into the oral and maxillofacial radiology I MACS with a DICOM server and browser in lune 1999. We describe the steps we took to implement this system in our institution with a brief report on th e evaluation of this system. Conclusion. We implemented a DICOM oral and maxillofacial IMACS that compli es with the American College of Radiology and the National Electrical Manuf acturers Association Standard DICOM, version 3.0. Most DICOM service classe s and roles are supported.