Open DICOM files

  • Full name
    Dicom Medicine Image File Format
  • Developer
    NEMA
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DICOM file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DICOM file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DICOM file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DICOM file?

DICOM files are image files in the so-called DICOM format. The DICOM format (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is an open standard for the exchange of information in medicine. DICOM images are lossy or lossless in TIFF or JEPG format and are embedded in the dcm file.

More info

DICOM files can contain not only images from, for example, MRI, ultrasound, x-ray and CT devices but also segmentation, patient data, findings and image registrations. Also 3D data is possible. At the same time, the DICOM standard also represents the protocol standard that is implemented in almost every medical device for imaging and image processing procedures.

In addition, DICOM forms the basis for the PACS digital image archiving system in hospitals and clinics (Picture Archiving and Communication System). Other, often used extensions for DICOM files are dic and dcm. Partially the ending is omitted altogether. If a DICOM compatible program does not detect DICOM files, you can try to change the file extension to dcm or dic.

Programs which can open a DICOM file

How to open file with DICOM extension?

In order to open a file with DICOM extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DICOM file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DICOM files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe Photoshop or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DICOM files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DICOM files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DICOM files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe Photoshop as the default program for opening DICOM files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DICOM files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Photoshop applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Photoshop has been installed.

2
3
Check the section that lists most common problems with DICOM files

Sometimes problems with opening DICOM files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DICOM files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DICOM files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DICOM file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Similar extensions