Hanging protocols

A hanging protocol tells the viewer how to auto-arrange each study the moment it opens: the viewport layout, which series drops into each viewport, whether the relevant prior is hung alongside for comparison, and the default window/level preset applied on load. Matching the right protocol to each exam type is a core PACS capability — it removes manual set-up so the radiologist reads a familiar, consistent layout every time.

Protocols

CT Head — Non-contrast

2x2

CTHead

Viewport layout · 2×2

Series

Axial brainAxial subduralAxial boneCoronal brain

✓ prior loadedW/L · Brain (W80 L40)

Routine non-contrast head. Brain, subdural and bone windows tiled with a coronal reformat; prior head CT hung for comparison.

CT Chest — Lung + Mediastinum

1x2

CTChest

Viewport layout · 1×2

Series

Axial lungAxial mediastinum

✓ prior loadedW/L · Lung (W1500 L-600)

Side-by-side lung (W1500 L-600) and mediastinal (W350 L40) windows for nodule and lymph node assessment; prior chest CT for interval change.

CT Abdomen & Pelvis — Portal Venous

1x3

CTAbdomen

Viewport layout · 1×3

Series

Axial soft tissueCoronal soft tissueSagittal soft tissue

✓ prior loadedW/L · Abdomen (W400 L40)

Portal venous phase abdomen/pelvis in axial, coronal and sagittal soft-tissue windows; prior study for oncologic follow-up.

MRI Brain — Multi-sequence

2x3

MRIBrain

Viewport layout · 2×3

Series

Axial T1Axial T2Axial FLAIRAxial DWIAxial ADCAxial T1 post-contrast

✓ prior loadedW/L · MRI default

Six-up multi-sequence brain layout aligning T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, ADC and post-contrast for lesion characterisation; prior MRI for comparison.

MRI Lumbar Spine

2x2

MRILumbar Spine

Viewport layout · 2×2

Series

Sagittal T1Sagittal T2Axial T2 L4-L5Axial T2 L5-S1

no priorW/L · MRI default

Sagittal T1/T2 for alignment and marrow with paired axial T2 stacks through the lower disc levels for canal and foraminal stenosis.

Chest X-ray — PA with Prior

1x2

CRChest

Viewport layout · 1×2

Series

PA currentPA prior

✓ prior loadedW/L · Chest radiograph

Current PA chest radiograph hung beside the most recent prior for interval comparison of lines, tubes and infiltrates.

Mammography — 4-view Bilateral

2x2

MGBreast

Viewport layout · 2×2

Series

R CCL CCR MLOL MLO

✓ prior loadedW/L · Mammography

Standard bilateral screening hanging: CC row over MLO row, right and left mirrored back-to-back; priors offered for symmetric comparison.

CT Angiogram — Chest

1x2

CTChest

Viewport layout · 1×2

Series

Axial angioCoronal MIP

no priorW/L · Angio (W600 L150)

CT pulmonary angiogram with angio window and coronal MIP for embolus detection along the pulmonary arterial tree.

MSK X-ray — Knee Series

1x3

CRKnee

Viewport layout · 1×3

Series

APLateralSkyline

✓ prior loadedW/L · Bone radiograph

Three-view knee radiograph series arranged AP, lateral and skyline; prior films hung for fracture healing or arthritis progression.

Musculoskeletal MRI — Knee

2x2

MRIKnee

Viewport layout · 2×2

Series

Sagittal PD FSCoronal T1Coronal PD FSAxial PD FS

no priorW/L · MRI default

Internal derangement knee protocol: fat-suppressed proton density in three planes plus coronal T1 for meniscal, ligamentous and marrow assessment.

Standard CT window presets

Window (W) = width of the displayed HU range · Level (L) = center HU.

Name	Window	Level	Use
Brain	80	40	Non-contrast head CT for grey/white matter differentiation and acute infarct.
Subdural	200	75	Wide window to distinguish thin extra-axial collections from the adjacent skull.
Bone	2000	400	Cortical and trabecular bone detail; fracture assessment.
Lung	1500	-600	Lung parenchyma, nodules, interstitial disease and emphysema.
Mediastinum	350	40	Mediastinal soft tissue, lymph nodes and great vessels.
Abdomen	400	40	General abdominal and pelvic soft tissue.
Liver	150	60	Narrow window for subtle hepatic lesion conspicuity.
Angio	600	150	Contrast-opacified vessels in CT angiography.

Window/level values are typical radiology presets shown for illustration only. Real deployments tune presets per scanner, reconstruction kernel and site preference. Demo and configuration data only — no patient information.