Using RSNA’s Using RSNA’s Teaching File Teaching File

Software (MIRC):Software (MIRC):A Hands on CourseA Hands on Course

Mary Wyers, MDMary Wyers, MD

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Learn how to use the RSNA’s teaching file software, Learn how to use the RSNA’s teaching file software,

MIRC, to access and create teaching file cases with MIRC, to access and create teaching file cases with text and images.text and images.

Learn how to annotate images.Learn how to annotate images. Create one basic teaching file case, and one advanced Create one basic teaching file case, and one advanced

teaching file case.teaching file case. Understand basic features of MIRC such as searching Understand basic features of MIRC such as searching

for cases, making cases private or public, and using for cases, making cases private or public, and using the system with residents & fellows.the system with residents & fellows.

MIRC overviewMIRC overview MIRC stands for Medical Imaging Resource CenterMIRC stands for Medical Imaging Resource Center Free, open-source software from the RSNAFree, open-source software from the RSNA

Online database, or library of casesOnline database, or library of cases Users can access MIRC from any computer connected to Users can access MIRC from any computer connected to

the internet or a hospital network.the internet or a hospital network. The user can search for and display cases based on The user can search for and display cases based on

query selections, or search fields. query selections, or search fields. Multiple libraries, or MIRC sites, may be linked Multiple libraries, or MIRC sites, may be linked

together online, so that a user can search multiple together online, so that a user can search multiple places at once.places at once.

Flexibility of the MIRC Flexibility of the MIRC programprogram Where to put MIRC:Where to put MIRC:

Teaching purposes on a private, individual laptopTeaching purposes on a private, individual laptop Public site on a hospital networkPublic site on a hospital network Public site on a server, for use on the internet. Public site on a server, for use on the internet. Note that private cases can also be stored on a public site.Note that private cases can also be stored on a public site.

MIRC can run on multiple platforms, including MIRC can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, etc. using multiple Windows, Linux, Mac OSX, etc. using multiple browsers (IE, firefox, safari)browsers (IE, firefox, safari)

Document types:Document types: Teaching FilesTeaching Files Power point presentationsPower point presentations Research date for clinical trials Research date for clinical trials Files can be downloaded from a MIRC site, and hyperlinks to Files can be downloaded from a MIRC site, and hyperlinks to

other web content are supported.other web content are supported.

A few other features . . .A few other features . . . Dicom images may be sent directly from Dicom images may be sent directly from

your PACS station to MIRC (IHE TCE). your PACS station to MIRC (IHE TCE). Powerpoint tool: converts powerpoint Powerpoint tool: converts powerpoint

presentations to teaching files. presentations to teaching files. Available on the MIRC wiki site (Available on the MIRC wiki site (http://mircwiki.rsna.orghttp://mircwiki.rsna.org))

ConferencesConferences

What do you need to run a What do you need to run a successful MIRC site?successful MIRC site?

A reasonably modern computer to host the program. A reasonably modern computer to host the program. See mircwiki site for details about hardware considerationsSee mircwiki site for details about hardware considerations Hard drive storage dependent on individual purposes and Hard drive storage dependent on individual purposes and

anticipated growth. anticipated growth. Three free programs: the actual MIRC program, Java, and Tomcat.Three free programs: the actual MIRC program, Java, and Tomcat.

An individual needs to assume the role of administrator.An individual needs to assume the role of administrator. Duties include maintenance of the site and software upgrades. Duties include maintenance of the site and software upgrades.

BasicBasic computer skills are needed. computer skills are needed. Cases can come from medical students, residents, or Cases can come from medical students, residents, or

attending radiologists, who input text and images directly attending radiologists, who input text and images directly into the program through a web-based “author service”. into the program through a web-based “author service”. Any computer which has access to your MIRC site can be Any computer which has access to your MIRC site can be used to input cases.used to input cases.

Some terminologySome terminology

This page is called the query page, or “query service”.

A user can search for specific types of cases by typing text into these boxes

Some terminologySome terminology

These subdirectories or libraries are called “storage services”

After the “Go” button is selected, a list of cases is generated, which looks like this.

The list can also be displayed with image icons.

Standard teaching file format

Image Annotation screenImage Annotation screen

Personal filing cabinetPersonal filing cabinet

Cases can be displayed with a title or without.

ConferencesConferences

The Input Queue: Using The Input Queue: Using MIRC with residents and MIRC with residents and

fellowsfellows

Where to get MIRCWhere to get MIRC Free software and all documentation are at:Free software and all documentation are at:

http://mircwiki.rsna.orghttp://mircwiki.rsna.org The RSNA also runs a MIRC site at:The RSNA also runs a MIRC site at:

http://mirc.rsna.orghttp://mirc.rsna.org The RSNA MIRC site allows users to access The RSNA MIRC site allows users to access

materials published by participating sites around materials published by participating sites around the world.the world.

Need help? Join the MIRC community or ask Need help? Join the MIRC community or ask questions on the RSNA’s MIRC forum:questions on the RSNA’s MIRC forum:http://forums.rsna.orghttp://forums.rsna.org