picture archiving and communication system

In medical imaging, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are computers or networks dedicated to the storage, retrieval, distribution and presentation of images. The term 'PACS' was first used by Dr. Andre Duerinckx.

Types of PACS

Full PACS handle images from various modalities, such as ultrasonography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, computed tomography and radiography (plain X-rays). Small-scale systems that handle images from a single modality (usually connected to a single acquisition device) are sometimes called mini-PACS.

Uses

PACS replaces hard-copy based means of managing medical images, such as film archives. It expands on the possibilities of such conventional systems by providing capabilities of off-site viewing and reporting (distance education, tele-diagnosis). Additionally, it enables practitioners at various physical locations to peruse the same information simultaneously, (teleradiology). With the decreasing price of digital storage, PACS systems provide a growing cost and space advantage over film archival.

Architecture

Typically a PACS network consists of a central server which stores a database containing the images. This server is connected to one or more clients via a LAN or a WAN which provide and/or utilize the images. Client workstations can use local peripherals for scanning image films into the system, printing image films from the system and interactive display of digital images. PACS workstations offer means of manipulating the images (crop, rotate, zoom, brightness, contrast and others). Modern radiology equipment feeds images directly into PACS in digital form. For backwards compatibility, most hospital imaging departments and radiology practices employ a film digitizer. The medical images are stored in an independent format. The most common format for image storage is DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine).