DICOM
Pronunciation: DIE-com
Also written as: DICOM — Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
Standard format for storing and transmitting medical imaging data including neuroimaging.
Full Definition
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is the international standard for medical imaging data format, storage, and transmission. In neuroinformatics, DICOM files contain both imaging data (such as MRI or CT scans) and associated metadata including patient information, acquisition parameters, and technical specifications. DICOM compliance ensures interoperability between different imaging systems and analysis software. The format supports various neuroimaging modalities and includes headers with essential information for proper data interpretation and processing.
Usage
Usage note: Always uppercase when abbreviated; 'DICOM file' not 'DICOM image'.
In Context
- "All imaging data must be exported in DICOM format for archive compliance." — Data management protocol
- "The DICOM headers contained essential acquisition parameters for preprocessing." — Technical documentation