Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is a standard format used to store and transmit medical images. These DICOM files typically have a .dcm extension and are specialized for medical imaging needs. On the other hand, JPEG (.jpg) is a more universally accessible and common image format. Sometimes, converting DCM files to JPG becomes necessary for ease of sharing, editing, or viewing. This article will walk you through the various methods available to accomplish this conversion.
JPG is a widely supported image format and can be opened on nearly any device or software that handles images.
JPG files are generally smaller and easier to manage than DCM files, which often include additional medical metadata.
JPG files can be easily edited using common image editing software, unlike DCM files which require specialized software.
1. Install Required Libraries: pip install pydicom Pillow
2. Read DCM File: Use the pydicom library to read DCM files.
3. Convert to JPG: Utilize PIL (Pillow) to convert the image array to JPG.
import pydicom
from PIL import Image
# Read DCM file
dicom = pydicom.read_file("file.dcm")
# Convert to JPG
image = Image.fromarray(dicom.pixel_array)
image.save("image.jpg")
Converting DCM files to JPG can make medical images more accessible and manageable. Whether you choose specialized software, online tools, or programming solutions, each method has its pros and cons. Select the method that aligns with your needs, especially when handling sensitive medical data.