Agent skill · research science · aiskillstore
pydicom
Python library for working with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files. Use this skill when reading, writing, or modifying medical imaging data in DICOM format, extracting pixel data from medical images (CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound), anonymizing DICOM files, working with DICOM metadata and tags, converting DICOM images to other formats, handling compressed DICOM data, or processing medical imaging datasets. Applies to tasks involving medical image analysis, PACS systems, radiology workflows, and healthcare imaging applications.
Why this skill is useful
Provides specific commands and workflows for reading, writing, and processing DICOM files that are not common knowledge.
What it needs
Requires matplotlib, numpy, pillow, pydicom, pylibjpeg, python-gdcm installed locally. About 6k tokens when loaded. Last updated 2026-08-07. 405 stars on the source repository.
What this skill does
Pydicom Overview Pydicom is a pure Python package for working with DICOM files, the standard format for medical imaging data. This skill provides guidance on reading, writing, and manipulating DICOM files, including working with pixel data, metadata, and various compression formats. When to Use This Skill Use this skill when working with: Medical imaging files (CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, PET, etc.) DICOM datasets requiring metadata extraction or modification Pixel data extraction and image processing from medical scans DICOM anonymization for research or data sharing Converting DICOM files to standard image formats Compressed DICOM data requiring decompression DICOM sequences and structured reports Multi-slice volume reconstruction PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) integration Installation Install pydicom and common dependencies: For handling compressed DICOM files, additional packages may be needed: Core Workflows Reading DICOM Files Read a DICOM file using pydicom.dcmread(): Key points: dcmread() returns a Dataset object Access data elements using attribute notation (e.g., ds.PatientName) or tag notation (e.g., ds[0x0010, 0x0010]) Use ds.filemeta to access file metadata like Transfer Syntax UID Handle missing attributes with getattr(ds, 'AttributeName', defaultvalue) or hasattr(ds, 'AttributeName') Working with Pixel Data Extract and manipulate image data from DICOM files: Working with color images: Multi-frame images (videos/series): Converting DICOM to Image Formats Use the provided dicomtoimage.py script or convert manually: Use the script: python scripts/dicomtoimage.py input.dcm output.png Modifying Metadata Modify DICOM data elements: Anonymizing DICOM Files Remove or replace patient identifiable information: Use the provided script: python scripts/anonymizedicom.py input.dcm output.dcm Writing DICOM Files Create DICOM files from scratch: Compression and Decompression Handle compressed DICOM files: Common transfer syntaxes: ExplicitVRLittleE …
How to use it
Reference it in AdaL, Claude Code, Cursor or any coding agent — nothing to install:
@skills aiskillstore/pydicom--e2e498