A DICOM viewer is a software application used to view medical images. Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine is a standardized format to store, view, analyze, and transmit medical images.
A DICOM file includes components of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) like Radiological Information Systems (RIS), servers, scanners, printers, imaging modules and networking hardware.
There are different types of DICOM viewers which include Standalone desktop applications, Web-based viewers, and Integrated into PACS systems.
Standalone Desktop Applications
RadiAnt DICOM Viewer – A user-friendly, simple, and suitable for Windows. It offers features like multiplanar reconstruction and maximum intensity projection. Medical images can be converted to JPEG, PNG, and other image formats.
Horos DICOM Viewer – An open-source DICOM viewer for Mac. It is considered the best viewer for Mac and runs only on Mac OS. It supports advanced diagnosing tools like MPR, MIP, and volume rendering.
Web-based Viewers
Web-based DICOM Viewer – This is a browser-based DICOM viewer, but cannot be downloaded. It is accessible through any device with an internet connection. Only manipulation of the images can be done. This viewer allows only viewing and exporting images is not allowed.
Integrated Viewers
Weasis – It is a powerful cross-platform DICOM viewer that can be integrated with the PACS system. It can be used for hospitals as well as for research purposes. It provides multi-language support and advanced features.
Gingko CADx – Gingko CADx is one of the few DICOM viewers that is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. It is an open-source viewer that supports integrated PACS. The paid version has advanced features when compared to the free version.
Cloud-based DICOM Viewer
PostDICOM—PostDICOM is one of the best DICOM viewers for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. It offers all the advanced features. It can be accessed anywhere, anytime, as it comes with cloud-based PACS.
There are various DICOM viewers available in open-source and pro versions. They can be accessed through web, cloud-based, integrated with PACS. Choose the right DICOM viewer according to your convenience.