DICOM vs PACS — What’s the Difference?

DICOM and PACS are often mentioned together in medical imaging.

Because both are involved in the digital imaging workflow, it is easy to think they are the same thing.

They are not.

The easiest way to understand the difference is to remember:

So, What Is DICOM?

DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine.

It is a standard that defines how medical imaging information is structured and exchanged between compatible systems.

In simple words, DICOM gives medical imaging systems a common language for communicating imaging information.

And What Is PACS?

PACS stands for Picture Archiving and Communication System.

PACS is a digital system used to store, organize, retrieve, view, and distribute medical imaging studies.

In simple words, PACS provides a place where imaging studies can be managed and accessed when they are needed.

The Simple Difference

How Do They Work Together?

DICOM and PACS are different, but they commonly work together in a medical imaging workflow.

For example, when a CT examination is performed, the imaging data can be exchanged using DICOM and sent to the hospital's PACS.

PACS can then store and organize the imaging study so that it can later be retrieved and viewed by an authorized user.

A Simple Example

Imagine a patient has a CT scan in a hospital.

The CT scanner produces the imaging study. The imaging data can be exchanged using the DICOM standard and sent to the hospital's PACS.

PACS stores and organizes the study. Later, an authorized radiologist can retrieve the examination through a viewer and review the images.

So, both DICOM and PACS are involved, but they have different roles.

The Easiest Way to Remember

Think about two people who need to communicate.

DICOM is like the language they use.

PACS is like the system where their information is managed and accessed.

They are connected, but they are not the same thing.