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Published On January 29, 2026
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Plain-English definition: DICOM is the international standard for medical images and related information—how imaging data is formatted and exchanged between devices and systems.
Official overview: dicomstandard.org.
On this page
What DICOM is (in plain English)
DICOM is a standard that tells imaging devices and software how to package a study and transmit it reliably.
It’s both the container (how a study is structured) and the delivery rules (how it moves across systems).
Why this matters in a veterinary setting
Vet imaging is often multi-vendor. DR, ultrasound, dental, CT, PACS, referrals, specialists—DICOM is what keeps studies readable and transferable across those handoffs.
If you want the official scope statement, NEMA publishes the overview (technical, but authoritative):
DICOM PS3.1 Introduction and Overview.
DICOM vs PACS (the confusion explained)
These are related, but not interchangeable.
DICOM
The standard for formatting and exchanging imaging data (images + study details).
PACS
The system that stores, retrieves, and helps you view/share imaging studies—typically using DICOM to ingest and transmit them.
If you’re evaluating PACS
Start with Asteris’ PACS guides for vet-specific workflow considerations:
What vet clinics actually need
and the
complete guide (2026).
What vet clinics actually need
and the
complete guide (2026).
What’s inside a DICOM study
A DICOM file isn’t just “an image.” It’s a structured package containing image data plus identifiers that keep a study organized and usable across systems.
The three layers you’ll hear about
- Study: the entire exam
- Series: groupings within the study (views, phases, sequences)
- Images: individual frames
Fields that commonly cause real-world issues
- Patient Name / ID: mismatches create duplicates
- Study Date/Time: helps sort, find, and compare
- Modality: DR, US, CT, MRI
- Series Description: improves interpretation clarity
- UIDs: prevents “study collisions”
Veterinary nuance
Many DICOM problems are really patient identity problems—especially when studies are created quickly or the console becomes the source of truth.
A consistent workflow reduces the manual steps where mistakes happen.
If you manage both DICOM and non-DICOM images in one place, see:
Manage Your Images.
Where DICOM shows up in your clinic workflow
Here’s the practical chain where DICOM matters:
- Patient + exam created (practice system, RIS, or modality console)
- Acquisition (DR, ultrasound, CT, MRI, dental)
- DICOM send to archive/PACS/viewer
- Review + annotate in clinic
- Share with a specialist/consultant when needed
Sharing studies with specialists
If your clinic routinely sends studies to consultants, a dedicated workflow reduces resend loops and missing-study follow-ups.
Asteris provides a purpose-built option for transmitting DICOM studies:
Keystone Community.
Asteris provides a purpose-built option for transmitting DICOM studies:
Keystone Community.
Seven common DICOM problems (and fixes)
Most issues in clinics are repeatable patterns. Use this as a troubleshooting map.
1) Study “sent” but never arrived
- Confirm destination details: AE Title, IP/hostname, port.
- Check network/VPN/firewall rules for blocked ports.
- Test with a small send (single series) before resending the full study.
2) Study arrived under the wrong patient
- Check whether the console is reusing prior patient records.
- Standardize patient ID entry and naming conventions.
- Where possible, source demographics from an integrated system instead of retyping.
3) Views are in the wrong order or appear “missing”
- Use consistent Series Description naming (e.g., “Thorax VD,” “Thorax LAT”).
- Confirm the device is sending all series (some workflows send selected items only).
- Check receiving-side filters that may hide certain series types.
4) Sharing works internally but fails externally
- External sharing often fails due to network rules or large study size.
- Confirm the recipient’s required method (portal upload vs DICOM push vs secure link).
- Use a consistent consult workflow to avoid ad hoc exports.
5) Ultrasound/endoscopy won’t open as expected
- Some devices export JPEG/PNG by default; confirm you exported true DICOM when needed.
- Confirm the receiving viewer supports the device’s DICOM encoding.
- Keep non-DICOM clinical images in a system designed to manage both types cleanly.
6) Duplicate studies pile up
- Duplicates often come from inconsistent patient IDs or resend loops.
- Create a resend protocol: confirm receipt before resending, or resend only missing series.
- Align patient identity rules across practice system, modality, and PACS.
7) The team loses time chasing “where did the images go?”
- Document the standard steps: when to send, where to send, how to confirm receipt.
- Train on the top failure points (destination settings, patient record reuse, partial sends).
- Consider consolidating workflow in a platform designed for veterinary imaging operations.
Deeper vet-specific explanation:
DICOM in Veterinary Imaging.
Tech-friendly DICOM send checklist
Before you hit “Send”
- Confirm patient identity (name + ID) and exam date/time.
- Confirm destination settings (AE Title / IP / port).
- Confirm all required views/series are selected.
- If repeating a send, resend only missing series when possible.
After sending
- Confirm receipt in the PACS/viewer (not just “queued”).
- Spot-check that key views open and series order makes sense.
- If sharing externally, confirm the recipient can access the study in their workflow.
If integrations are part of your workflow, see:
Asteris Integrations.
FAQ
Is DICOM only for human medicine?
No. It’s a general medical imaging standard used wherever imaging devices and systems need interoperability. Vet clinics benefit for the same reason: multi-vendor environments and referrals.
Does DICOM mean the image quality is better?
DICOM is about standardization and transport. Image quality depends on acquisition settings, modality capabilities, and workflow. DICOM helps ensure the right study is delivered and readable elsewhere.
Where can I read the official definition?
Want a cleaner imaging workflow?
Missing studies, mismatched patients, and resend cycles usually point to workflow + interoperability—not a single device problem.
Keystone Omni is designed around veterinary imaging workflows.
Keystone Omni is designed around veterinary imaging workflows.
Related reading
Book a Demo of Keystone Omni Now
Submit images directly through Asteris Keystone or via our free and simple Asteris Keystone Community application.
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