Verifying and Managing Data

Step 5: Verify Data Integrity

After uploading, verify the data quality:

Check Metadata

DICOM header information is shown permanently as an overlay on the 3D view — you do not open anything to see it:

• First panel: patient name, ID, date of birth / age / sex, study date and time, modality, series
• Second panel: study description, institution, series description, referring and performing physician

The Info toggle on the series row in the Data tree opens a different, volume-level readout:

• Extent and Bounds — the voxel index range and physical bounding box
• Spacing — voxel size in mm
• Range — HU minimum and maximum
• Visual contrast, Preset level, Window — the active display settings

Use Spacing and Extent to check resolution and coverage. Note that slice thickness, pixel spacing, kVp and mAs are fetched internally but are not displayed in either place.

Inspect Image Quality

1. Scroll through all slices in each view

2. Look for:

   • Complete coverage (no missing slices)
   • Proper contrast and visibility
   • Absence of motion artifacts
   • Correct anatomical orientation

3. If issues are found:

   • Re-upload the data if corrupted
   • Contact the imaging facility if acquisition issues are present

Managing Multiple Acquisitions

Patients often have multiple scans over time. To organize them:

Naming Conventions

Use descriptive acquisition names:

• Baseline_CT_2024-01-15
• Followup_CT_2024-03-20
• PreOp_MRI_2024-02-10

Comparing Scans

1. Load the first series normally
2. On the second series in the Data tree, use Load as secondary CT scan for comparison
3. The Comparative View panel appears, with:
   • Synchronize Navigation — Synchronized or Independent
   • Sync Type — Camera & Slice, Camera Only, or Slice Only
   • Switch CT Scans and Unload Secondary CT

Data Hierarchy Recap

Your uploaded data now exists in the database:

Patient: John Doe
└── Event: 2024-01-15_CT
    └── Acquisition: Chest CT
        └── Series: scan001
            ├── Metadata (DICOM tags)
            ├── Image Data (3D volume)
            ├── Anatomy (empty - to be filled by segmentation)
            └── Poses (saved camera positions)

Troubleshooting

Upload Fails

• Check file format: Ensure files are valid DICOM (.dcm) or VTI
• Verify permissions: Confirm you have upload rights
• File size limits: Large uploads (>2GB) may require ZIP compression
• Network issues: Retry upload or use a wired connection

Data Not Visible

• Refresh the page: Force reload the ActionsTree
• Check event/acquisition: Ensure you’re looking in the correct hierarchy level
• Database sync: Wait a few seconds for database indexing to complete

Poor Image Quality

• Adjust window/level: Use tissue-specific presets
• Check original data: Verify the DICOM files are not corrupted
• Resolution: Confirm slice thickness and pixel spacing are appropriate

Best Practices

1. Organize systematically: Use consistent naming for events and acquisitions
2. Verify immediately: Check data integrity right after upload
3. Backup originals: Keep original DICOM files in a separate archive
4. Document context: Add clinical notes to events for future reference
5. Privacy compliance: Anonymize data if required by regulations