Data Integrity of Radiology Images Over an Insecure Network Using AES Technique

Pavithra Prabhu,Rajendra Kurady,Anjali Kulkarni,Manjunath K N,Chitra Rajarama

doi:10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.1.185

Abstract

Background:While transmitting the medical images in radiology information systems the adversary effect can break the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) triads of information security. The objective of the study was to transmit the complete set of image objects in a dataset without data integrity violation. Methods:In this paper a hybrid cryptographic technique which combines the prime details from the patient dataset (stack of axial 2D images) and the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) method has been proposed. The steps include a) Creating an artificial X-ray image (DRR) from the 3D volume, b) dividing the DRR image in x and y directions equally into four regions, c) applying the zig-zag pattern to each quadrant, and d) encryption of each quadrant with block cipher mode using the AES algorithm. After dataset transmission the DRR image was regenerated at the receiver and compared each of the deciphered blocks (transmitted ones) using the histogram technique. Results:The technique was tested on CT and MRI scans of sixty datasets. The image injection techniques, such as adding and deleting an image from the dataset and modifying the image pixels, were tested. The results were validated statistically using mean square error and histogram matching techniques. Conclusion:The combination of the DRR and the AES technique has ensured the secured transmission of the entire dataset and not an individual image.

Highlights

Radiation Oncology workflow includes image acquisition of different modalities like CT, MRI and PET based on the clinical need
Regardless of well-established encryption schemes and secured image transmission we hardly found literature that discussed the entire dataset transmission as most of the methods were implemented at the individual image level
If the entire dataset is replaced, including the ciphered blocks at the receiving end, it still indicates that the dataset is not modified, and this is a technical limitation

Summary

Introduction

Radiation Oncology workflow includes image acquisition of different modalities like CT, MRI and PET based on the clinical need. Image security in radiology software requires three main characteristics viz. Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (Ali et al, 2015; Anna and Sonal, 2015). In sequence they mean not disclosing the images to unauthorized persons, preventing the modification of the dataset and images should be accessible whenever the PACS server is queried. While transmitting the medical images in radiology information systems the adversary effect can break the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) triads of information security. Conclusion: The combination of the DRR and the AES technique has ensured the secured transmission of the entire dataset and not an individual image

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion