In what format must images be in so that they can be sent throughout the image viewing system?

• A. DICOM
• B. JPEG
• C. TIFF
• D. PNG

Answer: (A)

In medical imaging workflows, a single standardized format that carries both image data and essential metadata is required for reliable routing and exchange through the viewing system. This is what DICOM provides. DICOM files include the image as well as a header with patient identifiers, study and series information, acquisition parameters, and references that link images across devices and servers. This embedded metadata and the standardized data structure enable devices like modalities, servers (PACS), and workstations to locate, store, retrieve, and route images correctly across the network, ensuring interoperability.

Although formats such as JPEG, TIFF, and PNG can display images, they lack consistent medical metadata and are not guaranteed to interoperate within the radiology workflow. They may be used for display or outside the formal imaging archive, but they don’t support the reliable transmission requirements of the image viewing system. That’s why DICOM is the required format for sending images throughout the system.