The Linux-based PACS project at the German Cancer Research Center

The PACS project at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany, is a continuation of the successful MEDICUS and CHILI ® projects. A dedicated teleradiology system has been developed and was in clinical use in the first project [1]. The successor of that system was the general purpose radiology workstation CHILI, which has many advanced teleradiology functions [2]. Important unique features of the CHILI system are vendor independent communications protocols [3], a strong security concept [4], and its extensibility [5][6]. The CHILI system is installed at more than 50 sites in Germany and in the US. The radiology department of the Cancer Center is using the system to exchange radiological images with referring providers and with scientific cooperation partners. Nearly 100,000 images have been distributed and discussed by means of this (tele-) radiology system by the cancer center only.