The integration of MRI images into treatment planning systems is fundamental for modern radiotherapy due to their ability to provide detailed and precise images of anatomical structures that are not visible in conventional images like CT scans.

Our service ensures precise conversion of MRI DICOM files for use in systems like Eclipse or Monaco.

About DICOM Files

DICOM, which stands for "Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine," is the international standard for transmitting, storing, retrieving, printing, and displaying medical images and related information. In simple terms, a DICOM file is the format in which medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, are stored.

A DICOM file not only contains the image itself but also important metadata or headers about the patient, the study, and the equipment used to capture the image. This includes information such as the patient's name, age, study type, acquisition date and time, technical details about the equipment, as well as information about how to manage these data in a software system.

Although DICOM is a standard, compatibility issues can arise for several reasons:

• Variations in Standard Implementation: Medical equipment manufacturers may apply different structure to store the images (SOP classes). This can lead to DICOM files generated by one device not being fully compatible with another.

• Standard Versions: The DICOM standard has evolved over time, and there are different versions. Older equipment may not be compatible with newer versions, and vice versa.

• Image Compression: DICOM files can be compressed to save storage space. However, there are different compression methods, and not all systems are compatible with all methods.

• Incomplete or Incorrect Metadata: If the metadata in a DICOM file is incomplete, there may be issues when trying to open or process the file.

Software in Radiotherapy

Treatment planning systems in radiotherapy are not compatible with all fromats of DICOM files and the way they are stored. In order to import them, it is necessary that the DICOM files contains metadata in the format required by the planning system.

The following links contain the official documentation regarding the requirements of each company

PyRT-SimpleMRI Conformace Statement