Deep classification algorithm for De-identification of DICOM medical images

TL;DR

This paper presents a deep learning-based algorithm for de-identifying PII and PHI in DICOM medical images, ensuring privacy compliance while allowing customizable de-identification parameters.

Contribution

The study introduces a flexible Python algorithm that effectively recognizes and removes sensitive information in DICOM files, adaptable to different languages and use cases.

Findings

Successfully identified sensitive information like names and personal data

Developed a customizable algorithm for de-identification

Code available for public use and research

Abstract

Background : De-identification of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communi-cations in Medicine) files is an essential component of medical image research. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and/or Personal Health Identifying Information (PHI) need to be hidden or removed due to legal reasons. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and privacy rules, also full-face photographic images and any compa-rable images are direct identifiers and are considered protected health information that also need to be de-identified. Objective : The study aimed to implement a method that permit to de-identify the PII and PHI information present in the header and burned on the pixel data of DICOM. Methods : To execute the de-identification, we implemented an algorithm based on the safe harbor method, defined by HIPAA. Our algorithm uses input customizable parameter to classify and then possibly de-identify individual DICOM tags. Results : The most sensible information, like names, history, personal data and institution were successfully recognized. Conclusions : We developed a python algorithm that is able to classify infor-mation present in a DICOM file. The flexibility provided by the use of customi-zable input parameters, which allow the user to customize the entire process de-pending on the case (e.g., the language), makes the entire program very promis-ing for both everyday use and research purposes. Our code is available at https://github.com/rtdicomexplorer/deep_deidentification.