Guide
What is DICOM and how do I get my medical images
Every time you get a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray, your images are saved in a standard format called DICOM. These are your files and you have the right to access them. Here is everything you need to know.
What is DICOM
DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. It is the universal standard format used by hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers worldwide to store and share medical images. Every CT scan, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, and mammogram you have ever had was saved as DICOM files.
A DICOM file is more than just a picture. Each file contains both the image data and metadata about the scan: your name, the date, the type of equipment used, slice thickness, pixel spacing, and dozens of other technical details. This is what makes medical images different from regular photos.
How DICOM files are organized
Medical images follow a hierarchy that mirrors how your scans were performed:
Patient
Your name and patient ID
Study
A single visit or exam (e.g. "CT Thorax/Abdomen" on a specific date)
Series
A specific scan within that study (e.g. "Soft Tissue", "Bone Window", "Lung")
Image
Individual slices or frames. A single CT series can have hundreds of images
Most hospital CDs also include a special file called DICOMDIR. This is an index file that lists all the images and how they are organized. openrad reads this file automatically so you can browse your studies and series without waiting for every file to be parsed.
How to get your DICOM files
You have the legal right to access your own medical images. In the US this is protected under HIPAA. In the EU it falls under GDPR. In most countries, healthcare providers are required to give you a copy of your imaging data when you ask.
Ask for a CD or DVD at your appointment
The most common way to get your images. After a CT, MRI, or X-ray, ask the radiology department or front desk for a copy on disc. Many imaging centers will burn a CD for you on the spot, sometimes for a small fee. The disc will contain your DICOM files and usually a DICOMDIR index file.
Request through your patient portal
Some hospitals let you download imaging files through their online patient portal (like MyChart, Epic, or similar systems). Look for options like "Download images", "Request medical records", or "Imaging" in the portal. The download may come as a ZIP file containing DICOM files.
Submit a medical records request
If the above options are not available, you can formally request your imaging records from the hospital's medical records or health information department. Ask specifically for the images in DICOM format (not just the radiology report). You may need to fill out an authorization form. Hospitals are generally required to respond within 30 days.
Ask your referring doctor
Your doctor who ordered the scan also receives copies of the images. They may be able to share the DICOM files with you or request them from the imaging center on your behalf.
Viewing your files with openrad
Once you have your DICOM files on a CD, DVD, USB drive, or downloaded to your computer:
- 1Open openrad Viewer in your browser
- 2Click "Select Folder" and choose the folder containing your DICOM files (the root of the CD or the extracted folder)
- 3Browse your studies and series in the sidebar, scroll through slices, adjust contrast, zoom in, and measure
Everything happens locally in your browser. Your files are never uploaded anywhere. No account is needed and it is completely free.
Tips
- ✓DICOM files often have no file extension (no .jpg or .dcm). This is normal
- ✓If your CD includes a viewer application, you can ignore it and use openrad instead
- ✓Copy files from the CD to your computer first for faster loading
- ✓Select the top-level folder, not individual files. openrad will find all images automatically
- ✓Works best in Chrome or Edge. Safari and Firefox are supported but may be slower