diff --git a/atlas/views.py b/atlas/views.py
index 6442805a..db5f1013 100755
--- a/atlas/views.py
+++ b/atlas/views.py
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ import plotly.express as px
 from django.core.cache import cache
 from django.conf import settings
 
-from helpers.images import image_as_base64, print_dicom
+from helpers.images import compare_dicom_datasets, image_as_base64, print_dicom
 
 import logging
 from copy import deepcopy
@@ -1063,9 +1063,13 @@ def image_diff(request):
         s = print_dicom(second_ds, join=False)
 
         diff = difflib.HtmlDiff().make_table(f, s)
+        
+        #dict_diff = compare_dicom_datasets(first_ds, second_ds)
 
         return HttpResponse(diff)
 
+        #return HttpResponse(f"<pre>{dict_diff}</pre><br/>{diff}")
+
 
     return HttpResponse("Fail")
 
diff --git a/helpers/images.py b/helpers/images.py
index f0f27518..b811a4e7 100644
--- a/helpers/images.py
+++ b/helpers/images.py
@@ -218,3 +218,53 @@ def get_image_hash(img, dataset=None, hash_type="blake3", direct_pixel_data=True
 
     return hash, is_dicom
 
+
+def compare_dicom_elements(element1: pydicom.DataElement, element2: pydicom.DataElement):
+    differences = {}
+
+    # Compare the element tags
+    try:
+        if element1.tag != element2.tag:
+            differences['tag'] = (element1.tag, element2.tag)
+    except AttributeError: # private elements won't/might not? have a tag
+        pass
+
+    # Compare the VR (Value Representation)
+    if element1.VR != element2.VR:
+        differences['VR'] = (element1.VR, element2.VR)
+
+    # Compare the value
+    if element1.value != element2.value:
+        differences['value'] = (element1.value, element2.value)
+
+    # Recursively compare the child elements
+    if element1.VR == 'SQ' and element2.VR == 'SQ':
+        for i, (item1, item2) in enumerate(zip(element1.value, element2.value)):
+            item_differences = compare_dicom_elements(item1, item2)
+            if item_differences:
+                differences[f'item{i+1}'] = item_differences
+
+    return differences
+
+def compare_dicom_datasets(dataset1: pydicom.Dataset, dataset2: pydicom.Dataset):
+    differences = {}
+
+    # Compare the dataset elements
+    for element1 in dataset1:
+        element2 = dataset2.get(element1.tag)
+        if element2 is None:
+            differences[element1.tag] = ('missing', element1.value)
+        else:
+            element_differences = compare_dicom_elements(element1, element2)
+            if element_differences:
+                differences[element1.tag] = element_differences
+
+    # Check for any extra elements in dataset2
+    for element2 in dataset2:
+        element1 = dataset1.get(element2.tag)
+        if element1 is None:
+            differences[element2.tag] = ('extra', element2.value)
+
+    return differences
+
+