CT/MRI Scans: Should You Bring Them on a CD or a USB? (2026 Guide)

In short, what matters is not the format — CD or USB — but whether the imaging data is in its original, reviewable file form (DICOM). Korean hospitals accept either a CD or a file download link for use in remote review (pre-arrival review).

Key Takeaways

• Imaging data can be provided either on CD or as files (via a download link) — what matters most is bringing the original, readable image files (DICOM) that can actually be used for review.
• For cancers such as liver cancer or breast cancer, where treatment planning depends heavily on imaging findings, it is recommended to send contrast-enhanced CT and MRI scans as original DICOM files whenever possible.
• If you have imaging taken at multiple time points, it's best to bring all of them, since this allows doctors to assess how quickly the tumor is changing.
• Preparing imaging reports together with pathology reports and blood test results in advance will make the remote review (pre-arrival review) process go more smoothly.
• When returning home after treatment, receiving your imaging files and a summary of care in the same way will help ensure continuity of care with your local medical team.

Which Is Better, CD or USB?

• Both formats are accepted, and the format itself matters less than the actual content of the files. According to the note on what to check before treatment, international patients are often asked to send local pathology reports, imaging data (the actual CT, MRI, or other scan files), biopsy slides or tissue blocks, and previous treatment records ahead of their first appointment so that a remote review can be carried out.
• The key phrase here is "the actual files." Screenshots of images or summary reports alone may not be sufficient for proper review, so what matters is bringing the real data — whether on a CD, a USB drive, or via a hospital-provided download link — containing the original imaging files.
• The liver cancer note likewise advises patients to prepare, if possible, contrast-enhanced abdominal CT and liver MRI as original DICOM files, explaining that if scans from multiple time points are available, sending all of them helps doctors assess how fast the tumor is growing. Similarly, the breast cancer note advises preparing mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI as original DICOM files.

What Is Original DICOM Data, and Why Is It Needed?

• Original DICOM data refers to the standard medical imaging file format that directly contains the images captured by CT or MRI equipment, allowing radiologists to review the scan slice by slice. A written summary of findings in a report is not enough for the medical team to examine the actual images themselves, which is why original image files form the basic material needed for remote review (pre-arrival review).
• In cases such as liver cancer, where diagnosis relies on specific blood flow patterns seen on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI (for example, strong enhancement during the arterial phase followed by washout), it is difficult to re-examine these detailed findings without the original images. That is why complete DICOM files — not captured photos — are required.

Preparation Steps — How to Gather Your Imaging Data

1. Step 1: Request the original CT/MRI (DICOM) files from the radiology department or administrative office of your local hospital, in whichever format is available to you — CD, USB, or a download link.
2. Step 2: If the same area has been scanned more than once, be sure to bring imaging from all time points so that changes in the tumor can be compared.
3. Step 3: Also prepare imaging reports, pathology reports, and recent blood test results.
4. Step 4: If you have had a biopsy, check with your local hospital whether biopsy slides or paraffin blocks can be borrowed or sent.
5. Step 5: Submit these materials according to the remote review (pre-arrival review) process in Korea before departure, so that the medical team can prepare a written opinion based on your records.

FAQ — Is There Anything Else I Should Prepare Besides Imaging?

Yes. For breast cancer, subtype test results such as ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 are essential materials for treatment planning. For liver cancer, liver function tests (bilirubin, albumin, coagulation values, etc.), tumor markers, and hepatitis test results are considered core materials. It is also recommended to bring a list of all medications you are currently taking — including blood thinners and diabetes medications — along with any supplements, noted by their active ingredient names rather than brand names, since brand names vary by country and can be difficult to verify.

FAQ — Is There a Cost to Sending Imaging Data in Advance?

The remote review (pre-arrival review) fee is fixed at KRW 1,000,000. If you proceed to contract treatment after the remote review, this amount is deducted from your treatment costs. The remote review is based on the images and reports you provide — whether by CD, USB, or link — and any additional treatment costs will be separately confirmed through the hospital's estimate.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on the notes on what to check before treatment, liver cancer, breast cancer, and post-treatment care after returning home (National Cancer Information Center, U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023/Central Cancer Registry of the National Cancer Center Korea, SEER).
• This content is intended for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Please consult your medical team to determine the diagnosis and treatment appropriate for your situation.