Orthanc FAQs

Question 1

What is Orthanc (the tool) used for?

Accepted Answer

Orthanc is a powerful developer tool designed to query data from an Orthanc DICOM server and extract text content directly from encapsulated PDF medical reports stored within DICOM instances. It simplifies programmatic access to medical imaging data and reports.

Question 2

What kind of information can I query using this tool?

Accepted Answer

You can hierarchically query the DICOM server, starting with patients (by name, ID, or birth date), then their associated studies (e.g., CT, MRI, X-ray), series within those studies, and finally individual DICOM instances. This structured approach ensures precise data retrieval.

Question 3

How does the PDF text extraction feature work?

Accepted Answer

The tool can extract text from PDF reports encapsulated within DICOM instances, specifically those conforming to the Encapsulated PDF SOP Class (`1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.104.1`). This provides a direct method to retrieve textual content from medical reports for further processing or analysis.

Question 4

Is Orthanc an API or a standalone application?

Accepted Answer

Orthanc exposes its full range of functionalities as a modular FastMCP server. This means it provides a clean, structured API that can be easily consumed programmatically via an MCPClient, allowing seamless integration into your existing applications or workflows.

Question 5

What is the typical workflow for extracting PDF text using Orthanc?

Accepted Answer

The workflow follows the DICOM hierarchy: first, `query_patients` to find a patient, then `query_studies` for their studies, followed by `query_series` and `query_instances` to pinpoint the specific DICOM instance. Finally, use the `extract_pdf_text_from_dicom` tool with the instance ID to retrieve the desired PDF text.

Orthanc

Orthanc

Key Features

Use Cases

Key Features

Use Cases