Digital pathology is rapidly evolving, and DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is the key standard for interoperability and storage. This two-day hands-on training program provides an in-depth understanding of DICOM in digital pathology, covering metadata, image encoding, storage solutions, interoperability challenges, and future trends. Participants will explore real-world applications through interactive exercises, discussions, and practical demonstrations. By the end of the course, attendees will have the knowledge and skills to implement DICOM workflows in pathology environments, improving data integration, accessibility, and compliance. Development of this course includes input from pathologists with first-hand experience in implementing DICOM in their current practices, giving you a real-world perspective.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the role of DICOM in digital pathology and how it differs from radiology applications.
- Identify key metadata structures, file formats, and pixel data encoding relevant to pathology imaging.
- Implement and test DICOM Associations in combination with Storage/Storage Commitment.
- Implement and test DICOMweb APIs (WADO, QIDO) for querying and retrieving pathology images.
- Design and evaluate storage solutions, including Vendor Neutral Archives (VNAs) for pathology labs.
- Utilize DICOM converters to transform pathology images and ensure interoperability with PACS.
- Recognize legal, IT, and standardization challenges in implementing DICOM-based pathology workflows.
- Discuss how AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies are shaping the future of digital pathology.