How to convert DICOM (.dcm) to JPEG
Sometimes you need a picture you can drop into chat — not a folder of medical files. Exporting JPEG or PNG is fine for illustration as long as everyone knows it is not a full study. This guide covers the tradeoffs, how Pro export works in the app today, and when only the original DICOM is acceptable.
Quick answer (3 steps)
- Open the DICOM folder in OpenMyScan and pick the series and slice you want.
- With a Pro license, open the series menu, choose the export / save option, and pick PNG, JPEG, or a ZIP of slices (what the menu offers in your build).
- Label the image "example slice only" when you share it, and keep the original DICOM for real clinical questions.
Step 1 — Export one slice the responsible way
Scroll to the level you need, adjust brightness so anatomy is visible, then export. Mention which direction you are viewing (axial, sagittal, etc.) in the filename or caption so recipients know what they are seeing.
Step 2 — Pro export in OpenMyScan (current app)
At https://openmyscan.com/app, import your study, select the series, then use the in-viewer export flow (series menu and Settings → Pro, depending on the control you have). You can save the current slice or run a multi-slice / ZIP export when the UI presents it. Formats and batch options match the build you are running; if a button is missing, you are on the free viewer or a browser that blocks a save step. Upgrades and pricing are on /pricing.
Need every slice for a presentation? A full export can be hundreds of files — warn collaborators the stack is huge. Never treat JPEGs as a substitute for the DICOM; they are illustrations.
Step 3 — Understand what disappears
JPEG throws away subtle shades. DICOM window settings, slice thickness, and measurement tags vanish in a flat image. That is why remote second opinions still want DICOM.
Step 4 — When JPEG is the wrong tool
If a doctor is deciding surgery or cancer staging, send DICOM through their portal. JPEG is for "this is the area I'm asking about," not for definitive reads.
Common problems when exporting
- My JPEG looks blocky
- Increase quality or switch to PNG; heavy compression mimics disease.
- Colors look wrong
- MRI is grayscale; color maps are display tricks, not new data.
- Someone asked for JPEG but I only have Pro on one machine
- Export there, then transfer the images with the same caution you would use for any medical file.
- I need to remove my name before sharing a screenshot
- Use the anonymization guide — cropping the corner is not enough if metadata still ships with DICOM.
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG better than JPEG for scans?
Yes. PNG avoids lossy compression artifacts that can masquerade as pathology.
Can a doctor still use my JPEG?
For quick context, maybe. For decisions, they need DICOM.
Does this work offline?
Yes, after the first successful load. OpenMyScan caches in your browser, so you can use it on a plane or without WiFi as long as the page loaded once. Your files stay local either way.
What if my hospital CD has an installer (.exe / .app)?
Ignore it. Those launchers are often broken on modern computers. Copy the DICOM folder off the disc and open that folder in OpenMyScan instead.