IDL 8.2.1 (SP1) DICOM Patch/Update: Reading or querying some DICOM files using read-only IDLffDICOM object class can crash IDL 8.0 through 8.2.1 for Windows

SUMMARY

Reading or querying some DICOM files with the read-only IDL DICOM object class, IDLffDICOM, can cause an IDL session on Windows to crash. Affected IDL versions include IDL 8.0 through IDL 8.2.1.

This problem can be corrected in IDL 8.2.1 by applying the IDL 8.2.1 IDLffDICOM update, downloaded from the www.exelisvis.com web site. The patch can be applied to an IDL 8.2.1 (SP1) or ENVI 5.0 SP1 installation on Windows.

IDL 8.0, 8.1, 8.2:
The IDL 8.2.1 IDLffDICOM update is intended for use with for IDL 8.2.1 (IDL 8.2 SP1 or ENVI 5.0 SP1) for Windows. IDL 8.0, 8.1 and 8.2 users will first need to upgrade to IDL 8.2.1 (or ENVI 5.0 SP1) to take advantage of his patch.

IDL DICOM Toolkit: Another option to avoid this problem on IDL 8.0, 8.1 and 8.2 is to use the IDL DICOM Read/Write Toolkit (IDLffDICOMEx) add-on module. Valid DICOM files that may cause IDL to crash when read or queried using the IDLffDICOM object class can normally be correctly read or queried by using the IDLffDICOMEx object class instead. Contact your local Exelis Visual Information Solutions office or distributor for information about obtaining a license to use the IDL DICOM Read/Write Toolkit add-on module.

DETAILS

For example, the following IDL commands may cause the IDL session to crash when used with the above-mentioned DICOM files:

result = QUERY_DICOM( filename, DICOMEX=0 )

-or-

odcm = OBJ_NEW( 'IDLffDICOM' )
result = odcm->Read( filename )

SOLUTION

This problem may be resolved for IDL 8.2.1 by installing the IDL 8.2.1 DICOM update/patch. (IDL 8.0, 8.1 and 8.2 users will first need to upgrade to IDL 8.2.1 (or ENVI 5.0 SP1) to take advantage of his patch.) This patch may be downloaded from the www.exelisvis.com web site. After logging in to the web site to download the patch from the IDL Product Downloads area by clicking on the link labeled:

IDL 8.2.1 (SP 1) Patch 1 (DICOM Update) - Microsoft Windows (XP SP2, Vista, 7) 32/64-bit

The patch installer file name is:

envi50sp1idl82sp1_r1.exe

After downloading the file, install the patch to your existing IDL 8.2.1 installation by running the installer program with administrative privileges.

Installation of the patch can be confirmed by issuing the following IDL command:

HELP, /DLM, NAME='DICOM'

The patched IDL DICOM module has a version of "3.0.6". For example:

IDL> HELP, /DLM, NAME='DICOM'
** DICOM - IDL DICOM support (not loaded)
    Version: 3.0.6, Build Date: OCT 12 2012, Source: Exelis Visual Information Solutions, Inc.
    Path: C:\Program Files\Exelis\IDL82\bin\bin.x86_64\idl_dicom.dll

This patch addresses IDL bug report reference "CRID 60797."