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Open source software in a practical approach for post processing of radiologic images

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of open source software (OSS) to process DICOM images.

Materials and methods

We selected 23 programs for Windows and 20 programs for Mac from 150 possible OSS programs including DICOM viewers and various tools (converters, DICOM header editors, etc.). The programs selected all meet the basic requirements such as free availability, stand-alone application, presence of graphical user interface, ease of installation and advanced features beyond simple display monitor. Capabilities of data import, data export, metadata, 2D viewer, 3D viewer, support platform and usability of each selected program were evaluated on a scale ranging from 1 to 10 points.

Results

Twelve programs received a score higher than or equal to eight. Among them, five obtained a score of 9: 3D Slicer, MedINRIA, MITK 3M3, VolView, VR Render; while OsiriX received 10.

Conclusions

OsiriX appears to be the only program able to perform all the operations taken into consideration, similar to a workstation equipped with proprietary software, allowing the analysis and interpretation of images in a simple and intuitive way. OsiriX is a DICOM PACS workstation for medical imaging and software for image processing for medical research, functional imaging, 3D imaging, confocal microscopy and molecular imaging. This application is also a good tool for teaching activities because it facilitates the attainment of learning objectives among students and other specialists.

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Conflict of interest

Valeri Gianluca, Mazza Francesco Antonino, Maggi Stefania, Aramini Daniele, La Riccia Luigi, Mazzoni Giovanni, Giovagnoni Andrea declare that they have no conflict of interest related to the publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Radiology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

    Gianluca Valeri

  2. Radiology Postgraduate School, UNIVPM, Ancona, Italy

    Francesco Antonino Mazza

  3. Health Physics, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

    Stefania Maggi

  4. Department of Radiology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

    Daniele Aramini & Luigi La Riccia

  5. Degree in Medical Radiology Techniques, Imaging and Radiotherapy, UNIVPM, Ancona, Italy

    Giovanni Mazzoni & Andrea Giovagnoni

  6. Pediatric and Special Radiology, UNIVPM, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy

    Andrea Giovagnoni

Authors
  1. Gianluca Valeri
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  2. Francesco Antonino Mazza
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  3. Stefania Maggi
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  4. Daniele Aramini
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  5. Luigi La Riccia
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  6. Giovanni Mazzoni
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  7. Andrea Giovagnoni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gianluca Valeri.

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Valeri, G., Mazza, F.A., Maggi, S. et al. Open source software in a practical approach for post processing of radiologic images. Radiol med 120, 309–323 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-014-0437-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-014-0437-5

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