Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a widely used diagnostic tool, but concerns about radiation exposure necessitate accurate dose estimation. This study investigates the correlation between Effective Dose (ED) and Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) estimated from the patient’s body mass index (BMI) in CTA to evaluate the utility of SSDE-BMI as a patient-specific dosimetry parameter.
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Free DICOM Viewer: What It Is, Why It Matters, and the Best Tools Available
Medical imaging is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up care. Whether you’re a doctor, a student, or a patient, being able to open and review a DICOM file (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) can be extremely helpful. Thankfully, you don’t need to invest in expensive software to do this. A free DICOM viewer can give you full access to medical scans at no cost.
In this article, we’ll explain what DICOM files are, why a viewer is important, and which free tools offer the best features.
What Is a DICOM File?
A DICOM file contains both the medical image (such as an MRI, CT, or X-ray) and patient data embedded in it. Hospitals and clinics use DICOM to ensure standardization and compatibility across imaging equipment and systems.
However, most computers can’t open a DICOM file without special software. That’s where a DICOM viewer comes in.
Why a DICOM Viewer Is Important
A DICOM viewer allows you to:
- Open and review medical images on your own device
- Zoom, rotate, and measure structures inside the image
- Share scans securely with other doctors or get a second opinion
- Review past images to track treatment progress
For professionals, a DICOM viewer is a must-have tool. But even patients can use it to take control of their medical information.
Who Uses DICOM Viewers?
- Radiologists and clinicians use them to read scans.
- Medical students use them to learn anatomy and pathology.
- Patients may use them to view their own scans from a CD or download.
- Researchers often analyze anonymized imaging data for studies.
What to Look for in a Free DICOM Viewer
When choosing a free viewer, consider the following:
- User-friendly interface: You don’t want a steep learning curve.
- Cross-platform support: Make sure it works on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- Basic tools: Zoom, pan, measurements, and window leveling.
- Security: Look for encryption if you’re uploading sensitive data.
- No hidden costs: Truly free, with no feature locked behind a paywall.
Top Free DICOM Viewers (2025)
Here are some reliable and widely used free DICOM viewers:
1. RadiAnt DICOM Viewer (Windows)
- Fast, lightweight, and intuitive
- Supports CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound
- Offers multi-planar reconstruction (MPR)
2. Horos (MacOS)
- Open-source and powerful
- Built on OsiriX technology
- Ideal for education and small practices
3. MicroDicom (Windows)
- Simple and clean interface
- Great for basic image viewing and export
4. Weasis (Cross-platform)
- Java-based, suitable for hospitals and research
- Supports PACS integration
- Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux
5. PostDICOM (Cloud-Based)
- Web-based platform
- Offers free cloud storage
- No need to install anything locally
Can Patients Use a DICOM Viewer?
Yes. Many patients receive their scans on a CD or USB drive. A free viewer lets them open and understand these images at home. While medical interpretation should be left to professionals, simply seeing your own scans helps you stay informed and involved.
The Role of DICOM in Telemedicine and Second Opinions
Free DICOM viewers have made it easier to get second opinions. You can upload your scans securely to a platform or send the files to an online radiologist. This is especially useful if:
- You’re unsure about your diagnosis
- You’re considering surgery
- You want peace of mind before treatment
News:
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Performance of AI-Based software in predicting malignancy risk in breast lesions identified on targeted ultrasound
Targeted ultrasound is commonly used to identify lesions characterized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that were not recognized on initial mammography or ultrasound and is especially valuable for guiding percutaneous biopsies. Although artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been used to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions on ultrasound, their application in classifying lesions on targeted ultrasound has not yet been studied.
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Diagnostic Imaging's Weekly Scan: July 20 — July 26
Catch up on the top radiology content of the past week.
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Week in Review: Post-COVID CT | SCCT 2025 coverage | Minnies nominations open
Best practices for post-COVID imaging and coverage of SCCT 2025 drew the most attention on AuntMinnie last week.
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Background parenchymal enhancement as a predictor of invasive disease-free survival in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
The Oncotype DX assay (Genomic Health), a commercially available 21-gene breast cancer recurrence score (RS) assay, is one of several gene-expression assays that are used to predict prognosis in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer [1]. The Oncotype DX assay provides RS values ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a worse prognosis and a greater likelihood of benefiting from chemotherapy [2]. A high RS, defined as 31 or higher (or 26 or higher in some cases), suggests a potenti…
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Jul 25 2025 This Week in Cardiology
The VENTOUX study of endurance athletes, the 10,000 step myth was not busted, rate vs rhythm control for AF, and GLP1 drugs and observational studies are the topics John Mandrola, MD, discusses in this week’s podcast. theheart.org on Medscape
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CATALYST: A Novel Approach to Treating Diabetes
Drs Akshay Jain and Vivian Fonseca discuss the CATALYST trial. Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology
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The Reading Room Podcast: A Closer Look at Remote MRI Safety, Part 2
In the second of a multi-part podcast episode, Emanuel Kanal, M.D. and Tobias Gilk, MRSO, MRSE, share their perspectives on remote MRI safety protocols for ensuring screening accuracy and adherence to conditional implant guidelines as well as a rapid and effective response to adverse events.
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Body Composition Analysis in HF: Time to Replace BMI?
A recent meta-analysis prompts consideration of measurements of visceral and subcutaneous adiposity to better estimate cardiovascular risk than BMI. Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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ASRT Survey: Job Vacancy Rate Increases to Near Record Highs
tim.hodson
Fri, 07/25/2025 – 10:19
July 25, 2025 — Data in recent staffing surveys from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists show that vacancy rates for all medical imaging disciplines are above the rates reported in 2020, according to the 2025 ASRT Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey. Vacancy rates represent the number of unfilled positions that are actively being recruited.
Survey results show that five imaging disciplines saw modest vacancy rate decline…