Adding and Configuring DICOM Modalities in Orthanc

Orthanc PACS Server is a powerful tool for managing DICOM images, and one of its key features is the ability to connect with various DICOM modalities, such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound machines. This article provides a comprehensive guide on adding and configuring DICOM modalities in Orthanc, including setting up AE Titles, IP addresses, and ports, as well as testing DICOM connectivity.

Make sure that your imaging modalities and the PACS server are on the same network. If you have not done that, click here

Adding DICOM Modalities in the Orthanc Configuration

1. Locate the Configuration File:

   • The primary configuration file for Orthanc, Orthanc.json, is usually located in the installation directory or /etc/orthanc/ on Linux systems.

2. Open the Configuration File:

   • Use a text editor to open Orthanc.json. For example, on a Linux system, you can use:

       sudo nano /etc/orthanc/Orthanc.json
     

3. Add DICOM Modalities:

   • In the Orthanc.json file, locate the "DicomModalities" section. This section is used to define the external DICOM modalities that Orthanc will communicate with.

   • Add entries for each modality, specifying the Application Entity Title (AET), IP address, and port. The format is as follows:

       "DicomModalities": {
         "CT_SCANNER": [ "192.168.1.10", 104 ],
         "MRI_SCANNER": [ "192.168.1.11", 104 ]
       }
     

   • Here, CT_SCANNER and MRI_SCANNER are the AE Titles, 192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.11 are the IP addresses of the devices, and 104 is the port number they are listening on.

Configuring AE Titles, IP Addresses, and Ports

1. Application Entity Titles (AE Titles):

   • AE Titles are unique identifiers for DICOM nodes (e.g., imaging devices, PACS servers). Ensure that each modality connected to Orthanc has a unique AE Title.

   • Example:

       "DicomAet": "ORTHANC"
     

2. IP Addresses:

   • Assign a static IP address to each DICOM modality to ensure reliable communication with Orthanc.

   • Update the Orthanc.json file with the correct IP addresses for each modality.

3. Ports:

   • The default DICOM port is 104, but any unused port can be assigned as long as it is open and not blocked by firewalls.

   • Ensure that both Orthanc and the modalities are configured to use the same port numbers for DICOM communication.

Testing DICOM Connectivity with Modalities

1. Verify Network Connectivity:

   • Use network tools like ping to ensure that Orthanc can reach the DICOM modalities over the network:

       ping 192.168.1.10
       ping 192.168.1.11
     

2. Use DICOM Tools:

   • Utilize DICOM network tools such as dcmtk or storescu to test the connectivity. These tools can send test DICOM images from the modalities to Orthanc.

   • Example with storescu:

       storescu -v -aec CT_SCANNER 192.168.1.10 104 test.dcm
     

   • This command sends the test.dcm file to the CT scanner modality with the AE Title CT_SCANNER.

     Check Orthanc Logs:

   • Monitor the Orthanc logs to confirm that images are being received from the modalities. Logs can be found in the location specified in the Orthanc.json configuration file, such as:

       "LogFile": "/var/log/orthanc.log"
     

Orthanc Web Interface:

• Access the Orthanc web interface to verify that images from the modalities are successfully received and stored. Navigate to http://localhost:8042 and check the latest received images and logs.

3. Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues:

   • If connectivity issues are encountered, check firewall settings, ensure that the correct IP addresses and ports are configured, and verify that the AE Titles match on both Orthanc and the modalities.

   • Use the Orthanc configuration section in the web interface to adjust settings as needed and re-test connectivity.

Conclusion

Adding and configuring DICOM modalities in Orthanc is essential for seamless integration and communication within your medical imaging network.

By following my steps to configure AE Titles, IP addresses, and ports, and by testing the connectivity, you can ensure that Orthanc effectively manages and processes images from various modalities. This setup enhances the efficiency and reliability of your PACS system, contributing to improved healthcare delivery.