Sharing medical images from DICOM studies for collaborative research or educational purposes requires proper anonymization to remove all patient identifiers.
De-identification protects patient privacy when studies need to be distributed outside of the clinical context.
In this article, we’ll explore best practices for anonymizing online DICOM viewer files along with the benefits of sharing properly de-identified medical images.
Maintaining Patient Privacy and HIPAA Compliance
The first priority when anonymizing DICOMs must always be preserving patient privacy by eliminating all protected health information (PHI) defined under HIPAA.
This includes obvious identifiers like patient name, birthdate, and medical record number. But it also encompasses facial images, tattoos, or unique features that could allow a patient to be recognized.
Some core steps to take when anonymizing DICOMs include:
- Remove all demographic PHI tags from the DICOM header
- Replace the name with “ANONYMOUS”
- Replace birthdate/age with dummy values
- Blank out medical record numbers
- Remove physician and institution names
- Strip metadata like capture timestamps
Additionally, use DICOM editing tools to remove or blur any potential facial or unique identifying features in the actual image pixel data itself. This comprehensive approach ensures no PHI slips through to compromise patient privacy.
Enabling Research Collaboration Through Data Sharing
Once properly anonymized, DICOM studies become invaluable resources for collaborative research between clinicians, academic institutions, and industry organizations.
De-identified medical images allow researchers to develop and test Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) solutions using real-world data without restrictions.
For example, anonymized datasets have been critical for training AI deep learning algorithms to detect cancerous lesions in lung CTs.
The Lung Image Database Consortium helped accelerate radiomic analysis by providing an open anonymized image bank.
Shared archives of anonymized DICOM studies spread the benefits of academia and research beyond just one institution.
Researchers get access to large, diverse datasets while patients collectively benefit from improved solutions.
Bolstering Radiology Education with Example Studies
In addition to research use cases, properly de-identified DICOM files also provide tremendous value for medical education.
Medical schools, residencies, and training programs can use anonymized image archives to create robust teaching files covering diverse pathologies.
Education programs also need DICOM studies to develop and enhance simulation-based learning tools.
Specialty workstations allow trainees to perform mock diagnostic analyses on real clinical examples without any PHI included. This provides a safe, practical experience reading diverse studies.
Radiology residents, in particular, benefit from exposure to the breadth of pathology appearances through expanded DICOM teaching files.
This produces better-trained radiologists prepared to handle the full spectrum of clinical images.
Cloud-Hosted Tools to Securely Anonymize and Share DICOMs
Manually identifying and removing all protected health information from DICOM files can be time-consuming and unreliable.
Fortunately, advanced cloud-based DICOM sharing platforms are available to automatically anonymize studies while also providing secure access for intended recipients.
Some features to look for in a DICOM sharing and anonymization solution include:
- Automated anonymization – The platform uses AI to detect and strip PHI from header and pixel data.
- Secure cloud storage – Anonymized studies encrypted and access-controlled for approved users.
- immersive Viewer – Provides online viewing and manipulation of anonymized images.
- Collaboration tools – Allows real-time chat, annotations, and conferencing around studies.
- Auditing – Records all anonymization history and user analytics for compliance.
With the right web-based tools, DICOM studies can be reliably anonymized and shared to safely unlock their value for research and education purposes while protecting patient identities.
The ability to properly anonymize and share DICOM files helps drive progress in medical imaging beyond just direct clinical care.
Researchers gain access to diverse image data to develop improved CAD and quantification tools. Residents and trainees can review an extensive library of studies to hone diagnostic skills.
This occurs without compromising patient privacy through proper de-identification. Handled responsibly, sharing anonymized DICOMs is a win for patients, physicians, researchers, and trainees alike.
