Open Source DICOM Viewer

Last updated: 2026-07-31

Perspecta is an open-source DICOM viewer written in Rust for developers and individual users. The native desktop app opens local DICOM files, accepts perspecta:// and DICOMweb launch handoff, supports grouped mammography layouts, shows GSPS and Mammography CAD SR overlays, and opens Structured Reports in a dedicated document view. A browser technical preview brings the core local review experience to current desktop browsers without uploading selected files.

Who Perspecta is for

Perspecta fits developers and individual users who need a lightweight desktop viewer and, in some cases, a way to connect that viewer to an existing web application or imaging workflow.

It is especially useful when you need an open-source DICOM viewer that can be inspected and built locally, launched from another system, and used for practical review workflows such as mammography comparison and overlay-aware image review.

What Perspecta supports

Local DICOM file open for single-image review
Grouped mammography layouts in 1x2, 1x3, 2x2, and 2x4
perspecta:// launch integration from external systems
DICOMweb launch using study, series, and instance context
GSPS overlay toggle on matching images
Mammography CAD SR overlay rendering on matching images
Structured Report viewing in a dedicated document mode
Local-only browser preview with manual file selection and no upload
JPEG 2000 decoding in the desktop app by default; JPEG 2000 and JPEG-LS are not supported by the browser preview

What Perspecta does not try to be

Perspecta is not positioned as a full PACS replacement, a browser imaging framework, or a broad study-management system. It focuses on fast local review and desktop integration. The browser build is a technical preview, not a medical device or diagnostic viewer, and intentionally omits remote and automated file-ingestion APIs.

Common questions

Is Perspecta a web viewer or a desktop viewer?

Perspecta is primarily a native desktop DICOM viewer. Its browser technical preview can open files that a person manually selects or drops, using local browser memory without uploading them. DICOMweb and perspecta:// launch integrations remain desktop-only.

Does the browser preview support JPEG 2000 or JPEG-LS?

No. The current browser build does not decode JPEG 2000 or JPEG-LS transfer syntaxes. The desktop app continues to support JPEG 2000 by default, so use a native release when a file requires that codec.

Does Perspecta support DICOMweb?

Yes. Perspecta supports DICOMweb launch with study, series, and instance context, plus grouped preload flows for supported review layouts. See DICOMweb Integration.

Does Perspecta support mammography review?

Yes. Perspecta supports grouped mammography layouts in 1x2, 1x3, 2x2, and 2x4, which makes it suitable for current and prior comparison workflows.

Does Perspecta support GSPS and CAD overlays?

Yes. Perspecta can show GSPS overlays and Mammography CAD SR overlays when they reference the active image. See Viewer Basics and Launch Options.

Does Perspecta support Structured Reports?

Yes. Structured Reports open in a dedicated document mode instead of being treated like image viewports.

Can I inspect and build Perspecta myself?

Yes. Perspecta is open source and the repository includes local build instructions, packaged releases, and platform-specific install guides.