01 / How do I share my MRI for a second opinion?

How do I share my MRI for a second opinion?#

  1. Copy the complete DICOM folder (or official hospital ZIP) to your computer.
  2. Open it once in OpenMyScan to confirm every series loads. These are still images, not a diagnosis.
  3. Upload or ship exactly what the second-opinion site asks for, with a short cover note listing your symptoms and questions.
02 / Step 1 — Start from the original files

Step 1 — Start from the original files#

Insert the CD, plug in the USB, or download the portal export your first hospital provided. Drag the top-level folder that contains hundreds of small files (and often a DICOMDIR) onto your Desktop. If you only have printed films, call records and request DICOM. Second opinions rarely accept paper scans alone.

Keep folder names intact; renaming files is fine only if the second-opinion FAQ says so. Most platforms expect the structure the scanner produced.

03 / Step 2 — Decide about anonymization

Step 2 — Decide about anonymization#

Some telemedicine services ask you to remove your name from metadata before upload; others want full identifiers to match records. Read their checklist before you strip tags. OpenMyScan does not remove metadata automatically. Follow the receiving service's anonymization instructions when required.

If you anonymize incorrectly, the reader may reject the study. When unsure, email their support desk with a screenshot of your folder list (not patient-facing images) and ask what they need.

04 / Step 3 — Respect upload limits

Step 3 — Respect upload limits#

ZIP the unchanged original folder only if the destination accepts ZIP, following the service’s upload instructions. Large studies can exceed gigabytes; use a wired connection, pause other uploads, and try overnight if the site allows resume. If the portal fails twice, ask whether they accept physical media instead.

05 / What should I write in my cover message?

What should I write in my cover message?#

Include your legal name if they expect it, date of scan, body region, and a plain list of questions ("Does this lesion warrant surgery?" etc.). Avoid interpreting the images yourself. State symptoms and timeline instead. Include the clinical history the service requests, such as prior surgeries or implants, because it can help the reader interpret existing images.

06 / What goes wrong with second-opinion uploads?

What goes wrong with second-opinion uploads?#

The site rejects my ZIP
Confirm they want the inner DICOM folder, not a nested double-ZIP; re-read their naming rules.
Only some series uploaded
Compare the series list in OpenMyScan against what you sent. Re-upload missing contrast phases if the FAQ demands them.
They want anonymized data but I already removed too much
Request a fresh export from the hospital with identifiers intact, then let their tool anonymize the approved fields.
I'm anxious while waiting
That is normal. Reviewing the images at home can help you feel oriented, but it is not the same as the report. Talk through findings with your own doctor.
// open your scan Ready

Open your scan right now

OpenMyScan runs in your browser. Your files stay on your computer while you review them.

Open viewer
07 / Common questions

Common questions#

Do I need to pay for a second opinion?

Sometimes. Academic centers occasionally review gratis; private telemedicine services usually publish a flat fee. Check before you upload.

Can I just screenshot slices and send those?

No. Screenshots drop resolution and windowing data. Readers need scrollable DICOM.

Can I view my scan on my phone?

No. The viewer needs a browser window at least 1200 pixels wide to show images alongside the series list. Use a laptop or desktop, or a tablet only if its browser window meets that width. Rotating an iPad to landscape does not guarantee enough space. Guides remain available on smaller screens.

What's the difference between DICOM and DICOMDIR?

DICOM image files may contain one image or multiple frames; DICOMDIR is an index used by some systems. Keep the complete original folder tree, including the index and image subfolders, when sharing.

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