University of Baghdad
Biomedical Engineering
غسان صالح كاظم- :االسم
First stage
Biomedical engineering introduction
Supervisor: - DR. Sadeem kubbah
What is it used for? History of usage?
DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications
in Medicine. It is a standard for storing, transmitting, and
exchanging medical images and related data in a digital
format. DICOM is widely used in medical imaging
applications such as X-rays, MRI scans, and ultrasound.
DICOM was first introduced in 1985 by the American
College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA). The aim was to
create a standard for digital medical imaging that would
ensure interoperability between different imaging
systems. Since then, the standard has been updated
several times to accommodate new technologies and
use cases.
Why is it useful?
DICOM is important because it enables medical
professionals to easily access and share medical images
and other patient data. The standard specifies a common
data format and communication protocol, which ensures
that images and data can be exchanged between
different systems and institutions without loss of
information or quality. This is crucial for diagnosis,
treatment planning, and research.
What is the data format used in DICOM?
The data format used in DICOM is based on the ACR-
NEMA format, which was developed in the 1980s. It is a
binary format that includes both image data and
metadata such as patient information, acquisition
parameters, and image processing settings. DICOM also
defines a set of communication protocols for
transmitting images and data between different systems
and institutions.
Implication capabilities in Iraq
In terms of its implications for Iraq, DICOM could
potentially be used to improve medical imaging and
patient care in the country. By adopting the DICOM
standard, healthcare institutions in Iraq could ensure that
medical images and data are stored and transmitted in a
consistent and interoperable format. This would enable
medical professionals to share information more easily
and make more informed decisions about patient care.
However, the implementation of DICOM would require
significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and
training.
References: -
1- Jodogne, S. (2011). The DICOM standard. Radiology,
258(1), 192-197.
2- Wittenberg, T. (2016). Digital imaging and
communications in medicine (DICOM): a practical
introduction and survival guide.
3- Golan, S., & Davidson, S. J. (2018). DICOM and its impact
on modern medicine. Journal of Digital Imaging, 31(3),
283-289.
4- Iraqi Ministry of Health. (2018). Iraq health system study:
final report.
