X window image extension standard: what it means to medical imaging

Previous studies on the effectiveness of workstations using X window applications as PACS display and processing stations have revealed some difficulties owing to X's limited ability to support image processing. In response to studies of this kind in medicine as well as other imaging application domains, an extension to X windows has been proposed called the X window Imaging Extension (XIE). XIE provides mechanisms for efficient transport, storage, display, and processing of images on any X-capable hardware. This paper attempts to highlight important aspects of this extension as they apply to PACS and medical imaging. XIE's computational model is reviewed and methods of using it to support image review operations are discussed.