Visualizadores de imagens médicas gratuitos: é possível trabalhar apenas com eles?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To search in the internet for freeware medical image viewers capable of running as a PACS (picture archiving and communication system) client, and to evaluate their main functions as well as the feasibility of their use in personal computers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Google search engine and specialized sites were utilized in the search for freeware softwares for Windows. The authors have found about 70 and among them 11 were able to run as PACS clients. Six were selected for analysis: ClearCanvas Workstation, KPACS, Onis, Synedra View Personal, Mito and Tudor DicomViewer. Sixteen functions selected according to the authors' needs were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the six applications, two presented 10 of the 16 functions, and one of them presented only two. Three perform MPR (multiplanar reconstruction), one performs MIP (maximum intensity projection), two perform VR (volume rendering), two can run as a PACS server, two can create CDs, one performs images fusion, three allow the use of multiple monitors and only one is not compatible with Windows 7. CONCLUSION: Although several freeware applications are available, no one of them is complete. It is up to the users to analyze and select the software that best suits their needs. However, Onis, Synedra and ClearCanvas stand out because of their own peculiarities. The use of freeware image viewers is entirely feasible in the radiologists' daily routine.OBJETIVO: Pesquisar visualizadores de imagens médicas gratuitos disponíveis na internet capazes de funcionar como cliente PACS (picture archiving and communication system) e avaliar suas principais funções e a viabilidade do uso em computadores pessoais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi feita pesquisa, no Google e em sites especializados, por programas gratuitos disponíveis para o Windows. Foram encontrados cerca de 70, sendo 11 capazes de funcionar como cliente PACS, e selecionados seis destes para análise: ClearCanvas Workstation, KPACS, Onis, Synedra View Personal, Mito e Tudor DicomViewer. Com base nas necessidades dos autores, 16 funções foram avaliadas. RESULTADOS: Dos seis programas avaliados, dois possuem 10 das 16 funções avaliadas e um possui apenas duas. Três realizam MPR (reconstrução multiplanar), um realiza MIP (reconstrução por projeção de intensidade máxima), dois realizam VR (renderizações volumétricas), dois funcionam como servidor PACS, dois geram CDs, um realiza fusão de imagens, três permitem utilizar múltiplos monitores e apenas um não é compatível com Windows 7. CONCLUSÃO: Diversos programas gratuitos estão disponíveis e não existe nenhum completo. Cabe ao usuário analisar e selecionar o programa que melhor se enquadra nas suas necessidades, porém, os programas Onis, Synedra e ClearCanvas se destacam, cada um com suas peculiaridades. É totalmente viável o uso de programas gratuitos para o dia-a-dia do radiologista. Unitermos: DICOM; PACS; Visualizador de imagens médicas; Telerradiologia; Sistemas de informação em radiologia. AbstractResumo * Study developed at IMEB -Imagens Médicas de Brasília,...

O perfil Brasileiro de propriedade intelectual em radiologia e diagnóstico por imagem em um contexto internacional, nos anos 2000-2009

“…The improvements in the offer of information technology, particularly in procedures connected with transmission of medical data, such as HL7 and DICOM itself, allow an easier and dynamic development of the diagnosis by the radiologist and by the area that requested the examinations. Together, such characteristics encourage investments in academic and entrepreneurial research with strong possibilities of generating innovation and IP, even when competing for space, and as a matter of fact, increasingly so, with freeware and user friendly solutions available for radiologists (22,23) . The number of patents filed in a country demonstrates the relevance and the level of development which such target-country represents for the object of the patent (24) .…”

Software gratuito: uma opção para o radiologista?

“…In an excellent article published in the present issue of Radiologia Brasileira, Barra et al (1) provide a concrete notion of these applications, presenting a systematic analysis on the different DICOM viewers which, initially can run on simple radiology workstations.…”

Analyses of Budget Impact Considering the Use of the Picture Archiving and Communication System

“…In general, when analyzing the impact of implementing information technology in the health area, the following three basic aspects are considered: benefits to the patients, benefits to the diagnostics, and benefits to the service [7,8]. Possible alternatives that require less short-term investments are based on the use of open-source software such as Conquest and K-PACS [9][10][11]. Regarding equipment, a possible low-cost approach is the implementation via modules according to a modular philosophy based on the concept of mini-PACS [9], with the use of robust but small storage servers such as those from the SuperMicro line.…”