The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems and methods for providing a “Virtual Radiology” service. This service, potentially, can provide any radiological digital image data to any computer at any institution. The service is “Virtual” in that the radiological digital image data accessible on a DICOM LAN and PACS of a first institution is made available to a second institution, without either institution having to open their networks to each other, establish legal or other business relationships and understandings or to become administratively involved with each other.