Data security assurance in CAD-PACS integration

Computer aided diagnosis/detection (CAD) has been extensively used in mammography, chest, and three-dimensional (3D) CT lung imaging for clinical decision support over last 5–6 years. Recent trend is to integrate CAD applications with a PACS so that CAD results can be reviewed by most physicians for diagnosis. However, data security issue arises when a CAD application is integrated with a PACS. In this paper, we present a lossless digital signature embedding (LDSE) method for assuring the integrity of images used by the CAD and new images and results generated by the CAD application. Our experimental results show that the method is effective for assuring the integrity of CAD images. Combining this method with traditional one-dimensional digital signature technique for protecting CAD results, we provide a complete integrity assurance solution for a CAD application integrated with a PACS.