Emotion 6 CT: previous studies fail to open on the review workstation (Pixel Data error)
What happened
On the physician's workstation, opening any previous study from the local database ended in an error related to Pixel Data.
What was checked
- Confirm the failure is the same for every previous study opened from the local database, not just one exam — this points away from a single bad image.
- In the utils folder, locate the batch that removes and recreates the local databases (reported as AllDBRemove.bat); it must be run with administrator rights.
- Before running it, check that the studies on the workstation are archived to PACS or external media, because the rebuild clears the local database.
Cause
Not established in the case. The most likely explanation was corruption or inconsistency of the local study database on the review workstation: the studies were still listed, but their pixel data could no longer be retrieved.
The cause is probable and was not fully confirmed.
What was done
Reported fix, with a probable outcome: rebuild the local databases using the system's remove/recreate-all-databases batch from the utils folder, run under an administrator account; after a reboot the databases are recreated automatically. No host reinstallation was needed. Note that local studies not archived elsewhere are lost during the rebuild.
Safety
Take the scanner out of clinical use for the rebuild, make sure no examination is running or scheduled on it, and let it complete the full startup self-checks before it is returned to service.
Lesson: When a review workstation refuses to open every archived study, suspect the local database first — and rebuild it only after confirming the data is safely archived elsewhere.
Covered in the course: CT Service — Level 2: Fault-Finding →
Written from an anonymised case shared by service engineers. It is not a manufacturer instruction and grants no authorisation. Independent note; names are trademarks of their owners.