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Radiology reports can feel like a foreign language—dense with medical terms, structured phrases, and subtle clues that shape diagnosis. For students, self-learners, or professionals outside radiology, understanding these reports can be a challenge.

That’s why we built the Radiology Study Simulator: a tool that helps you practice structured reporting, interpret sample cases, and learn how different clinical histories (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, prior disease) can change diagnostic impressions.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how the simulator works and why entering background information at the right step makes all the difference. As a bonus, you’ll also find a practical guide on how to convert DICOM files into JPG, PNG, or MP4 so you can easily use your studies inside the app.

In practice, the main reason for these steps is to help learners convert medical imaging studies into usable formats for structured reporting. DICOM files are the standard in hospitals, but they are not easily read outside clinical systems. By converting them into JPG or PNG, learners can view and analyze single images clearly; and when working with CT or MRI, which often generate hundreds or even thousands of slices, exporting them into short MP4 sequences makes it much easier to review and simulate reporting.

Before starting Step 1, it’s important to understand what a series means. A series is essentially a complete set of images captured in one particular mode or angle. For example, a chest CT may include both a lung window series and a mediastinal window series—each showing the same anatomy in different ways. Most hospitals and clinics also store each series in separate folders, since each folder represents images acquired under different conditions, making them easier to manage and interpret.

In this guide, Steps 1 to 4 focus on converting raw DICOM files into JPG or PNG images, which are best for reviewing single slices clearly. Then in Steps 5 and 6, you can use Adobe tools to merge these JPG/PNG files into an MP4 video, where each MP4 represents one complete series. Ideally, keep each video under 3 minutes per series, which makes it easier to analyze and practice structured reporting. Remember: each MP4 should represent only one series—never mix different series into the same MP4.

Step 1: Upload DICOM file 

Go to dicomlibrary.com, click Select DICOM file or zip.  Make sure your ZIP contains only one study.

Step 2: Open uploaded study

Once uploaded, click View to open your study in the web viewer.

Step 3: View CT/MR images The web viewer lets you scroll through slices, zoom, and adjust windows. Click Export when ready to save images or videos.

Step 4: Export options Choose export format: JPEG / PNG → single images MP4 / PDF → video or document 👉 PNG is best for clarity, MP4 for sequences.

Step 5: Convert images to video (if needed)

Go to Adobe Express – Images to Video.
Upload your exported PNG/JPEG files → Adobe will create a video (MP4).

Step 6: Adjust video speedIf the video plays too fast or slow, use Adobe Express – Change Speed.

👉 Keep video length around ≤ 3 minutes per series.

Radiology isn’t just about reading images. It’s about integrating history, context, and structured reasoning. The same scan can suggest very different possibilities depending on the background provided, and practicing this process is what makes the simulator valuable. By following the steps above, you can learn the language of radiology reports, practice writing your own structured impressions, and build confidence in interpreting real-world medical reports.

If you have your own cases, you can also export your DICOM studies to JPG, PNG, or MP4 (see the step-by-step guide at the end of this essay) and upload them to the simulator. While this tool is not a replacement for professional medical judgment, it can serve as a powerful companion for learning, self-study, and skill-building—especially in under-resourced or remote settings.