Software review
OSPACS: Ultrasound image management system
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* Corresponding author: Christopher Jones c.jones@ucl.ac.uk
1 Bioinformatics Group, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
2 Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DH, UK
3 Gynaecological Cancer Research Laboratories, UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Paul O'Gorman Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Source Code for Biology and Medicine 2008, 3:11 doi:10.1186/1751-0473-3-11
Published: 20 June 2008Abstract
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.
Conclusion
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.