![]() The common tags that indicate the patient identity include the patient's name, age, sex, birth date, hospital identity number, ethnic group, occupation, referring physician, institution name, study date, and DICOM Unique Identifiers (UIDs). How do I Remove Patient Information from DICOM Images? If the header is separated from the image data, the computer will not know which imaging study has been done or to whom it belongs and it will not be able to display the image correctly, leading to a potential medicolegal situation. The header data information is encoded within the DICOM file so that it cannot be accidentally separated from the image data. This attribute may contain information regarding a single image, multiple frames of a study, or a cine loop, depending on the modality that has generated the image. These data are stored as a long series of 0s and 1s, which can be reconstructed as the image by using the information from the header. The header is followed by a single attribute (7FE0) that contains all the pixel intensity data for the image. The first few packets of information in a DICOM image file constitute the “header.” It stores demographic information about the patient, acquisition parameters for the imaging study, image dimensions, matrix size, color space, and a host of additional nonintensity information required by the computer to correctly display the image. A list of free DICOM browsers has been published earlier in this journal. To view these images on computers when a proprietary viewer is not supplied with the system, an additional software package called “DICOM browser” is needed, which will interpret the file information and display it as an image. As a result, one is not able to view the contents of the image by simply double clicking on them. Inconveniently, in contrast to other image file formats such as JPEG or TIFF files, the individual DICOM files are not recognized by Windows ® as image files. The DICOMDIR is essentially an index and summary of information regarding all DICOM files included in that CD Folder “A” contains DICOM image files from the MRI study folder “DCMVWR” contains the Dicomviewer that displays the contents of the CD the folder “MISC” contains miscellaneous files required during display “AUTORUN” files direct the actions that are automatically performed when the CD is introduced into a computer. Managing DICOM files in a CD: screenshot of contents of a CD containing an MRI study (prepared on a Advantage Windows Workstation (GE Medical Systems)). It also suggests several tips and tricks that can be used by the radiologist so that the digital potential of these images can be fully utilized for maximization of workflow in the radiology practice. This article aims to increase the awareness among radiologists regarding DICOM and other image file formats encountered in clinical practice. Knowledge about these formats and their attributes, such as image resolution, image compression, and image metadata, helps the radiologist in optimizing the archival, organization, and display of images. ![]() ![]() Each format has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into consideration when images are archived, used in teaching files, or submitted for publication. ![]() In addition to the DICOM format, the radiologist routinely encounters images of several file formats such as JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and PNG. In the interest of patient confidentiality, all information that can be used to identify the patient should be removed before DICOM images are transmitted over a network for educational or other purposes. By extracting data from these tags one can access important information regarding the patient demographics, study parameters, etc. The information within the header is organized as a constant and standardized series of tags. A DICOM file consists of a header and image data sets packed into a single file. Image files that are compliant with part 10 of the DICOM standard are generally referred to as “DICOM format files” or simply “DICOM files” and are represented as “.dcm.” DICOM differs from other image formats in that it groups information into data sets. All modalities in radiology practice have become digital, and therefore deal with DICOM images.
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![]() They are known to often behead their prey, before consuming whole. The razor sharp edges of it’s beak, allow it to decapitate their prey quickly Their beaks can reach up to 24cm in length and 20cm (7.4 to 9.4 inches) in width, which helps them hunt for fish or snakes as long as 3.2 feet (1m) in size. They have the 3rd longest beak in the world, which enables them to hunt extremely large prey, even baby crocodiles Only larger stalk species have slower flapping than the shoebill.ģ. The shoebill’s flapping when flying is one of the slowest of any birds, at a mere (approx.) 150 flaps per minute They are truly unique and beautiful birds.Ģ. They have striking pale, blue-eyed genes, which can make them appear not really real. ![]() They can also be extremely cute, and almost ‘cartoon-like’. They have a prehistoric-like appearanceĪt times, and from certain angles, they can appear rather menacing, peering down their long, razor sharp beak, with a hook at the tip. Shoebill have specific habitat requirements for breeding, nesting and hunting, and their swamps and marshes are gradually being transformed into agricultural land, or pastures for cattle grazing. The shoebill population is particularly difficult to evaluate with accuracy, due to where they habitat and their elusive nature, but it has declined – with estimates between 5,000 – 8,000 in total.īirdLife International has classified it as vulnerable, due to habitat destruction, disturbance and hunting. It has broad wings, with an average wingspan between 7.5 – 8.5 feet (2.2 – 2.6m). The shoebill averages between 3.5 – 4.5 feet (1 – 1.4 meters) in height, and weighs between 9 – 15.5 pounds (4 – 7 kg). The shoebill is an extremely tall bird, with long spindly legs, that allows it to stand in the shallows of swamps and on aquatic vegetation, while hunting for food. ![]() However, it does occasionally hunt and eat other prey, such as frogs, lizards, watersnakes, snails and rodents. The shoebill is piscivorous, primarily eating fish – in particular lungfish, as well as bichirs, tilapia and catfish. Shoebill were previously thought of as storks, but genetic research has re-classified them as members of the order Pelecaniformes and family Balaenicipitidae, which are large waterbirds, genetically closer to pelicans and herons. Occasionally frogs, snakes, snails, rodents & even baby crocodiles Its distribution is frequently associated with the presence of papyrus vegetation and lungfish.Įast Africa – Uganda, Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana and Tanzania. Shoebills are found in East Africa’s freshwater swamps and marshes, including Uganda, Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Tanzania. They are sometimes referred to as ‘ whalehead‘. The shoebill is a large, elusive, stalk-like bird with an almost prehistoric appearance, due to its oversized shoe-shaped beak. |