OBJECTIVE: The present paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a medical images management system with content-based retrieval support (PACS-CBIR) integrating modules focused on images acquisition, storage and distribution, and text retrieval by keyword and images retrieval by similarity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internet-compatible technologies were utilized for the system implementation with freeware, and C++, PHP and Java languages on a Linux platform. There is a DICOM-compatible image management module and two query modules, one of them based on text and the other on similarity of image texture attributes. RESULTS: Results demonstrate an appropriate images management and storage, and that the images retrieval time, always < 15 sec, was found to be good by users. The evaluation of retrieval by similarity has demonstrated that the selected images extractor allowed the sorting of images according to anatomical areas. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, one can conclude that the PACS-CBIR implementation is feasible. The system has demonstrated to be DICOM-compatible, and that it can be integrated with the local information system. The similar images retrieval functionality can be enhanced by the introduction of further descriptors.

Keywords: CBIR, PACS, DICOM, Medical images, Health information system

OBJECTIVE: Integration of the Radiology Information System (RIS) and the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) of the Radiodiagnosis Service of "Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo", Brazil, to allow remote access to reports and associated images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RIS/PACS integration occurs in real time at the moment of consultation, using web technologies and programming techniques for intranet/internet. RESULTS: This web application allows reports and associated images viewing through the medical center intranet. Search is based on the patients' first name, last name, hospital number identification and exam modality, within a time period. The viewer allows image navigation and presents some basic functions such as zoom, brightness/contrast control and side-by-side image visualization. CONCLUSION: RIS/PACS integration minimizes the risk of inconsistencies, through the reduction of the number of interfaces among data bases with great information redundancy, providing a fast and safe work environment for radiology reports, consultation and visualization of associated images.

Keywords: PACS, RIS, Filmless radiology, Web technology

OBJECTIVE: To present the process of implementation of toolkits for visualization of medical images using DICOM and to review the basis and characteristics of this protocol. In this paper we present a VDTApplication for visualization of local and remote images, and a VDTApplet that allows the visualization of images on a web browser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The toolkits were implemented using Java programming language. For the development of this toolkit we considered the different version of the DICOM protocol, creating a generic system capable of reading and opening images generated by different modalities of different manufacturers. The tools were evaluated qualitatively by doctors taking into account the system's interface, image quality and image adjustment. RESULTS: The evaluation score ranged from 1 (very poor ) to 5 (very good) for each item, with the following results: 5 for system interface, 4 for image quality and 3 for the image adjustment. Based on the scores obtained we concluded that the tools can be considered good. CONCLUSION: These results allowed us to conclude that these tools are practical, user friendly and should be added to the PACS (picture archiving and communication system) of "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto - Universidade de São Paulo", Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Keywords: Medical images, DICOM, Filmless radiology, Medical images visualization