Interoperative fundus image and report sharing in compliance with integrating the healthcare enterprise conformance and web access to digital imaging and communication in medicine persistent object protocol

AIM:To address issues in interoperability between different fundus image systems,we proposed a web eyepicture archiving and communication system(PACS)framework in conformance with digital imaging and communication in medicine(DICOM)and health level 7(HL7)protocol to realize fundus images and reports sharing and communication through internet.METHODS:Firstly,a telemedicine-based eye care work flow was established based on integrating the healthcare enterprise(IHE)Eye Care technical framework.Then,a browser/server architecture eye-PACS system was established in conformance with the web access to DICOM persistent object(WADO)protocol,which contains three tiers.RESULTS:In any client system installed with web browser,clinicians could log in the eye-PACS to observe fundus images and reports.Multipurpose internet mail extensions(MIME)type of a structured report is saved as pdf/html with reference link to relevant fundus image using the WADO syntax could provide enough information for clinicians.Some functions provided by open-source Oviyam could be used to query,zoom,move,measure,view OICOM fundus images.CONCLUSION:Such web eye-PACS in compliance to WADO protocol could be used to store and communicate fundus images and reports,therefore is of great significance for teleophthalmology.

Malignant solitary pulmonary nodules: size and attenuation measured on a PACS and CT workstation

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs). Methods: Forty patients with malignant SPNs(diameter ≤ 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography(CT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs were measured on PACS and CT workstation respectively. The diameter was defined as the average value of the anteroposterior, lateral and superoinferior diameters on CT scans obtained with a mediastinal window setting. The superoinferior diameters were measured on MPR image. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs and spending time in measuring were recorded. Results: The diameters of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 2.09 cm ± 0.87 cm, 2.07 cm ± 0.79 cm, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the diameters of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.580, P = 0.210 > 0.05). The attenuation of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 40.15 HU ± 7.53 HU, 39.99 HU ± 8.13 HU, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the attenuation of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.008, P = 0.298 > 0.05). The spending time in measuring on a PACS and CT workstation were 55 s ± 4.03 s, 56 s ± 3.95 s, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in spending time in measuring between that on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 0.958, P = 0.315 > 0.05). Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant SPNs. It is suggested that the size and attenuation of malignant SPNs are measured on a PACS and CT workstation.

Peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma: Enhancement pattern evaluation on PACS and CT workstations

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Methods: The 62 patients with peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma underwent two-phase contrast material-enhanced multislices computed tomography(MSCT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. Two spiral CT scans were obtained at 25 s and 90 s respectively after nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 m L/s by using an autoinjector. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every scan were measured on PACS and CT workstations respectively and peak height was calculated. Enhancement pattern was evaluated on the image obtained at 90 s after injection of contrast medium on PACS and CT workstations respectively. Results: No statistically significant difference in precontrast attenuation, postcontrast attenuation at 25 s and 90 s was found between these measured on a PACS workstation [(40.21 ± 7.03) HU;(55.53 ± 11.09) HU;(75.95 ± 13.45) HU] and those [(39.01 ± 8.95) HU;(56.01 ± 10.91) HU;(76.03 ± 11.95) HU] on a CT workstation(t = 1.140, P = 0.256 > 0.05; t = 1.580, P = 0.149 > 0.05; t = 1.505, P = 0.150﹥0.05). The peak height that calculated on a PACS workstation was 35.74 HU(20 HU). There was not statistically significant difference in peak height between that calculated on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation [(37.02 ± 12.05) HU; t = 2.001, P = 0.099 > 0.05]. The tumors showed same enhancement pattern on PACS workstation and CT workstation. Of the 62 cases, 38 showed homogeneous enhancement, 17 showed heterogeneous enhancement, five showed peripheral enhancement, two showed central enhancement, at 90 s. The enhancement pattern revealed on PACS workstation was consistent with feature of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma.

A project plan for construction and cabling of picture archiving and communication system network

Objective To determine a network solution to meet the network requirements of the heavy data flow, load balance, and potential network storms from expansion of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) application.Methods Intel Netstructure 480T Giga Switch was used as the main switch and connected to each building by fiber channel at 1 Giga speed to archive 100 MB/s to each port. At the same time, the in-dependence of the original network construction was physically kept. The layer 3 and 4 switchers were used as load balance to reduce the heavy load of the network, and all the cabling for PACS used the super CAT5 along with the Intel NetStructure 1520 to prepare for potential network storms.Results An advanced intranet was set up to fully meet the high standard requirement of the PACS. The foundation for upgrading the whole network system to 1 Giga application was built to achieve sharing and transmission of images, information, and patient data within the hospital. The base was established for the standardized management of the hospital.Conclusion Good planning is the first step in setting up PACS, and the equipment forms the necessary platform to run PACS and all kinds of hospital information system (HIS). The networking construction is the foundation of e-hospital.