DICOM viewer for patients (not radiologists)
Radiology workstations are powerful and busy. At home you usually want the opposite: a calm layout, obvious scrolling, and no menu forest. OpenMyScan is built around that patient use case — still the same DICOM data, fewer knobs, and local-first viewing.
Quick answer (3 steps)
- Pick a viewer that opens folders locally without forcing a cloud upload.
- Look for big scroll controls, readable text, and optional brightness helpers such as Easy-view on MRI.
- Ignore measurement and fusion tools unless a doctor explicitly asked you to use them.
Step 1 — Start with the experience, not the feature list
Clinical tools advertise 3D fusion, hanging protocols, and CAD markers. Patients rarely need those on day one. A friendly viewer should greet you with a clear drop zone, show progress while the folder loads, and list series in plain language.
Step 2 — Know what you can skip
Millimetre callipers, angle tools, and dose reports matter in tumour boards. If your goal is to follow along before an appointment, skip the advanced tabs. Accidentally clicking them can make the screen feel broken — patient modes hide that clutter on purpose.
Step 3 — Know what you still need
Reliable scrolling through slices, window/level sliders, and a way to jump between series cover 95% of at-home curiosity. OpenMyScan adds Easy-view on MRI to make dark sequences easier on the eyes; it is still not a diagnosis button.
Step 4 — Privacy expectations
Local-first means the pixels stay on your machine while you browse. Cloud uploaders reverse that trade — convenient for some workflows, risky for others. Read the fine print before you drag a scan into a random "free MRI viewer" site.
Common problems when choosing software
- Everything looks intimidating
- Switch to a browser viewer with a single-column layout until you gain confidence.
- I need to compare two scans
- OpenMyScan Pro offers compare mode; free viewing handles one study at a time.
- My hospital CD wants me to install an .exe
- Ignore the launcher if it fails — copy the DICOM folder and use OpenMyScan instead.
- I'm worried about doing it wrong
- Viewing is not interpreting. When unsure, pause and talk to your care team.
Frequently asked questions
Does simpler mean less accurate?
No. The pixels are identical; only the chrome around them changes.
Will this replace my radiology report?
No. You still need the signed report from a qualified reader.
Is OpenMyScan FDA or CE cleared as a diagnostic device?
No. It is a viewer for personal orientation, not a regulated diagnostic workstation.
Do my files upload anywhere?
No. OpenMyScan runs entirely in your browser; your scan never leaves your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the viewer still works.