Source: https://openmyscan.com/en/guides

// 14 plain-English guides

# Open, share, and understand your scan

Plain-English guides for opening, sharing, and understanding your MRI or CT scan.

## Opening your scan

8 guides

[G–01 How to open MRI files on Mac (without software) Start here Open MRI folders on Mac in minutes.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-mri-files-on-mac)

[G–02 How to open DICOM files on Windows 10 and 11 Open DICOM on Windows without installing software.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dicom-files-on-windows)

[G–03 Hospital gave you a scan CD — here's how to open it Copy your CD folder, then open safely.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/hospital-gave-me-scan-cd-how-to-open)

[G–04 How to open .dcm files Understand .dcm files and open full series.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dcm-files)

[G–05 Best DICOM viewer for your scans: free and paid options Compare patient-friendly DICOM viewer options quickly.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/best-free-dicom-viewer)

[G–06 What is DICOMDIR, and how do I open it? Keep the index and image folders together.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicomdir-and-how-to-open-it)

[G–07 DICOM files won't open: common problems and fixes Fix missing files, blank views, and import errors.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/dicom-files-wont-open)

[G–08 How to open a downloaded MRI or CT ZIP file Extract and open a downloaded scan study.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dicom-zip-files)

## Sharing your scan

3 guides

[G–09 How to send an MRI to another doctor Start here Send complete studies to another doctor.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-send-mri-to-another-doctor)

[G–10 How to share your MRI for a second opinion Prepare your MRI for second-opinion review.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-share-mri-scan-second-opinion)

[G–11 How to convert DICOM (.dcm) to JPEG Export DICOM slices as shareable image files.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-convert-dicom-to-jpeg)

## Understanding your scan

3 guides

[G–12 What is a DICOM file? Start here Learn what DICOM stores beyond image pixels.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicom-format)

[G–13 MRI vs CT scan — difference explained for patients Understand when MRI or CT is used.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/difference-between-mri-and-ct-scan)

[G–14 Understanding your MRI report Decode common MRI report terms in plain English.](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/understanding-your-mri-report)

## Can't find what you need?

Open the viewer and start exploring your scan, or drop us a line.

[Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) [Email us](mailto:info@openmyscan.com)

OpenMyScan is a viewer for images you already own. It is not a diagnostic tool, is not FDA- or CE-cleared, and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.