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Medical Image File Formats

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Abstract

Image file format is often a confusing aspect for someone wishing to process medical images. This article presents a demystifying overview of the major file formats currently used in medical imaging: Analyze, Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative (Nifti), Minc, and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (Dicom). Concepts common to all file formats, such as pixel depth, photometric interpretation, metadata, and pixel data, are first presented. Then, the characteristics and strengths of the various formats are discussed. The review concludes with some predictive considerations about the future trends in medical image file formats.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support of the Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research—Progetti MERIT RBNE08E8CZ and PRIN 2010XE5L2R.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, 80145, Naples, Italy

    Michele Larobina

  2. Istituto per le Applicazioni del Calcolo, CNR, Naples, Italy

    Loredana Murino

Authors
  1. Michele Larobina
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  2. Loredana Murino
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Correspondence to Michele Larobina.

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Larobina, M., Murino, L. Medical Image File Formats. J Digit Imaging 27, 200–206 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-013-9657-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-013-9657-9

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