Software review

OSPACS: Ultrasound image management system

Will Stott¹ , Andy Ryan² , Ian J Jacobs² , Usha Menon² , Conrad Bessant¹ and Christopher Jones³

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

author email corresponding author email

Source Code for Biology and Medicine 2008, 3:11doi:10.1186/1751-0473-3-11

Published:	20 June 2008

Abstract

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.