JP2000287957A - Mammogram image diagnostic supporting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an easier and quick image diagnosis using medical image such as roentgenogram. SOLUTION: In a mammogram image diagnostic supporting apparatus 1 which has an image memory means 5 for storing a mammogram image data and an image display means 8 for displaying the stored mammogram image data, the image display means 8 has a total image display mode to simultaneously display a total mammogram image and a group display mode in which the total image is divided into at least two groups containing a plurality of images to display the images contained in the groups and a display mode switching means for switching between the display modes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus, and more particularly to a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus for improving the efficiency of a diagnosis when a doctor performs a radiological image interpretation diagnosis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a doctor performs an image diagnosis using a radiographic image, an X-ray image is displayed on an image display device such as a CRT to perform image interpretation. In particular, in recent years, technology for detecting abnormal shadows such as breast cancer by analyzing image data using digital image processing technology by a computer has been developed, and information on the detected abnormal shadow candidates is presented to a doctor to assist diagnosis. It is becoming possible to do so.

[0003]

However, when diagnosing with a mammogram image, the problem that the burden on the doctor is large and the interpretation takes time has not been solved yet.
There is a demand for a proposal of a mammogram image diagnosis support device that is easy for a doctor to use.

In general, when a physician makes a diagnosis using a mammogram, left and right breasts taken from the same direction and / or images taken from different directions of the breast are compared to determine whether a shadow or a microcalcification cluster is present. They often read images. For this reason, it is important for a doctor to display an easy-to-read and easy-to-read image. Further, when displaying images, it is important to easily and quickly display an image to be diagnosed in order to reduce fatigue due to image diagnosis and to achieve a stable and high diagnostic ability. Further, by comparing the positions of the left and right breasts photographed from the same direction, comparative interpretation can be easily performed.

[0005] The same applies to abnormal shadow candidates detected using the abnormal shadow detection technique. The information of the detected candidates is only the type and degree of the abnormality and the coordinates on the image. However, there is a problem that it is not easy to know whether or not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus capable of easily and quickly performing an image diagnosis using a medical image such as an X-ray photograph. And

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention has the following constitution.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus having image storage means for storing mammogram image data and image display means for displaying the stored mammogram image data. Has an all-image display mode that simultaneously displays mammogram images of all images, and a group display mode that divides all images into at least two groups including a plurality of images and displays images included in this group, A mammogram image diagnosis support device comprising a display mode switching unit for switching between the display modes. ].

According to the first aspect of the present invention, all-image display for simultaneously displaying mammogram images of all images;
All images are divided into at least two groups including a plurality of images, and a group display for displaying the images included in the group is performed. Thus, it is possible to compare and interpret the images of one group, and quickly A mammogram image diagnosis support device characterized in that diagnosis can be performed easily and accurately.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the display mode switching means switches between the display modes in a predetermined order.
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to 1. ].

According to the second aspect of the present invention, switching between the display modes is performed in accordance with a predetermined order. Therefore, each time an image to be displayed is changed, the arrangement of images to be displayed at the same time is determined. Save time, and
A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that image display can be performed promptly and without omission because the images are displayed for each group determined in advance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic order storing means for storing an image diagnostic order in advance, wherein the display mode switching means switches between the display modes in accordance with the stored diagnostic order. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching is performed. ].

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diagnosis order storage means for storing the order of image diagnosis in advance, and switching between display modes is performed in accordance with the stored diagnosis order. A mammogram characterized by being able to display images in the display order according to each preference, or to determine the display order according to the type of image and the state of diagnosis, specialized in the flow of diagnosis for each doctor It is an image diagnosis support device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display mode selecting means for determining a plurality of display modes necessary for image diagnosis in advance and freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display mode switching unit switches to the display mode selected by the display mode selection unit. ].

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display mode selecting means for determining a plurality of display modes necessary for image diagnosis in advance and freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes. Then, since the display mode is switched to the display mode selected by the display mode selection means, the doctor can freely display the necessary images and the like for diagnosis. The mammogram image diagnosis support device is characterized in that an image to be focused on can be easily and quickly displayed according to the type of image and the situation of diagnosis.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display mode selecting means for determining a plurality of display modes necessary for image diagnosis in advance and freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes. The display mode switching means includes a switching method for switching between the display modes according to a predetermined order, and a switching method for switching to the display mode selected by the display mode selection means. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching method designating means operable based on the switching method of (1), and designating one of the two types of switching methods. ].

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a switching method for switching between the display modes in a predetermined order and a switching method for switching to the display mode selected by the display mode selecting means. It is possible to operate based on two types of switching methods, and by specifying one of the two types of switching methods, all images can be diagnosed without omission. A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized by being able to easily and quickly display an image desired and a group including the image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus, wherein the images included in the group include at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the left breast, or at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the right breast, Or at least two images of the same patient whose imaging directions of the left breast and the right breast are different, or at least two images of the same patient whose imaging directions of the left breast and the right breast are the same. 6. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to any one of 5. ].

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the images included in the group include at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the left breast, or at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the right breast. Or at least two images of the same patient with different imaging directions of the left and right breasts, or at least two images of the same patient with the same imaging directions of the left and right breasts, and group the images that the doctor wants to compare. This is a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus capable of performing comparison and interpretation quickly and easily by enabling easy display, and improving detection performance.

[0020] The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that "patient information and examination information are stored in association with the image, and a plurality of images of the same patient and the same examination are displayed. 7. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to any one of 6. ].

According to the present invention, since the patient information and the examination information are stored in association with the images and a plurality of images of the same patient and the same examination are displayed, the information from the patient information and the examination information is displayed. This is a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that a doctor can easily and more accurately make a diagnosis by integrating and determining information from images.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that "the display position or the display image direction is determined for the images included in the same patient and the same examination image group according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to claim 7. ].

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the display position or display image direction of the images included in the same patient and the same examination image group is determined according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts. A mammogram image diagnosis support device characterized in that the comparison of images to be performed can be facilitated and the accuracy of diagnosis can be improved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a display control number input means for controlling a display position of an image, inversion of the image, and rotation of the image is provided for each of the displayed images. Any one of claims 1 to 8
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to the above section. ].

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for each displayed image, the image display position, the image inversion, and the image rotation are performed, so that the images can be compared and examined from various directions. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus is characterized in that a doctor can easily display an image in a desired direction and can easily and quickly make a diagnosis.

[0026] The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that "the image of the left breast and the image of the right breast in the same patient and in the same imaging direction are arranged and displayed side by side so that the nipple faces outward. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein ].

According to the tenth aspect, an image of the left breast and an image of the right breast in the same patient and in the same imaging direction are arranged and displayed side by side so that the nipple faces outward. The breasts in the same imaging direction are displayed at a target and at a short distance, and the different directions of the same breast are displayed in the same direction, so that the doctor can easily and quickly make a diagnosis. It is a mammogram image diagnosis support device.

[0028] The invention according to an eleventh aspect is directed to the mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, wherein the nipple side of the image is trimmed and displayed. ].

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the nipple side of the image is trimmed and displayed to trim the area where the subject is not shown, the display speed is improved and the memory is saved. A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method as set forth in any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects, wherein the patient information or the examination information is overlaid on a part of the image on the nipple side. Mammogram image diagnosis support device. ].

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the patient information or the examination information is overlaid on a part of the nipple side of the image so that the patient information or the examination information is not superimposed on the image, the patient information or the examination information is not displayed. Alternatively, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that test information can be obtained and diagnosis performance is improved without hindering diagnosis.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects, wherein the display position of the patient information or the examination information is changed according to the imaging direction and the right and left breasts. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to claim 1. ].

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the display position of the patient information or the examination information is changed according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts. It is possible to find an area where the subject is not shown by the imaging direction or the right and left breasts and display patient information or examination information in the area so as not to hinder image interpretation.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the patient information and the examination information are overlaid on a position in the image that does not overlap the subject. ].

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the patient information and the examination information are superimposed on a position in the image that does not overlap the subject, so that the subject and the patient information or the examination information overlap and the doctor interprets the information. Does not interfere with

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support according to any one of the sixth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the left breast and the right breast are vertically aligned. apparatus. ].

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, by aligning the left breast and the right breast in the vertical direction, the images can be accurately compared and displayed in the target state.
A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that comparative interpretation can be easily performed by a customer.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided "an automatic positioning means for positioning the left and right breasts in the same photographing direction based on skin line information of a breast as a subject." The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to 1. ].

The skin line is likely to be displayed for all mammograms and is relatively easy to recognize because it is a boundary between the inside and outside of the subject. Also, in imaging in the same direction, the skin line is almost targeted for the chest wall.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for automatically adjusting the positions of the right and left breasts in the same imaging direction based on the skin line of the breast, so that the doctor can easily compare the left and right breasts, A mammogram image diagnosis support device characterized in that diagnostic performance is improved.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, further comprising: "automatic alignment means for aligning the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction based on information of the breast collar in the subject. Mammogram image diagnosis support device. ].

In an MLO direction image taken diagonally across a breast, a pectoral muscle region is often displayed. The pectoral region is mainly displayed on the image as a whitish substantially triangular region. Also, the border between the breast region and the pectoral region can be relatively easily recognized.

According to the seventeenth aspect, there is provided means for automatically adjusting the positions of the right and left breasts in the same imaging direction based on the information of the breast collar, so that the doctor can easily compare the left and right breasts. A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that it can be performed.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, further comprising an automatic positioning means for positioning the left and right breasts in the same photographing direction based on information on the nipple in the subject. Mammogram image diagnosis support device. ].

The nipple is often displayed as a special note from the skin line to the outside of the subject area.
Also, by aligning the rows in which the nipples are displayed on the image, the left and right breasts can be roughly adjusted.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus wherein the left and right breasts are positioned based on the positions of the nipples.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided any one of the sixth to fourteenth aspects, further comprising: a photographing direction discriminating means for automatically discriminating a photographing direction based on the analysis of the image data or the identification mark. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to claim 1. ].

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the photographing direction is automatically determined based on the analysis of the image data or the identification mark, so that when displaying a group of images or displaying all images, the same direction photographing is performed. A mammogram diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that quick image diagnosis can be performed because grouping is automatically performed.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided "a left and right breast discriminating means for automatically discriminating a left breast and a right breast by analyzing or discriminating the image data." 15. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to any one of 14. ].

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the left breast and the right breast are automatically determined by analyzing the image data or by using the identification mark. A mammogram diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that an image can be displayed on a mammogram.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising: an abnormal shadow candidate detecting means for detecting an abnormal shadow candidate of the image.
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to the above section. ].

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, by detecting an abnormal shadow candidate in an image and displaying the abnormal shadow candidate, it is possible to improve the abnormal shadow detection performance and improve the burden on the doctor. It is a mammogram diagnosis support device characterized by the following.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein a mark is added to an abnormal shadow candidate position of the image and displayed. ].

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a mark is added to an abnormal shadow candidate position of an image and displayed, so that the position of the abnormal shadow can be easily and reliably recognized.
A mammogram diagnosis support apparatus characterized in that it is expected that the doctor's abnormal shadow extraction performance can be improved.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a "gray scale processing,
The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein any one of frequency processing and dynamic range compression processing is performed for display. ].

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, since any one of the gradation processing, the frequency processing, and the dynamic range compression processing is performed for display, a rapid image diagnosis can be performed. It is a support device.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein the image processing is performed under the same conditions for the same patient or the same examination. ].

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus, the image processing is performed under the same conditions for the same patient or the same examination, and the diagnostic performance is improved. is there.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein a scale is added to the image. ].

According to the twenty-second aspect, by adding a scale to an image, it is possible to easily recognize, for example, the size of an abnormal shadow or the like by the scale.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mammogram image diagnosis support according to any one of the first to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the radiation lead shielding portion in the image is displayed at a low density. apparatus. ].

When taking a mammogram, a shielding member such as lead may be placed outside the subject in order to prevent scattered radiation. Since the lead shielding portion is displayed whitish, there is a possibility that the interpretation result will be poorly dazzled.

According to the method of the twenty-sixth aspect, since the lead shielding portion of the image is displayed with low luminance, the above-mentioned adverse effect is not caused, and improvement in detection performance can be expected. Device.

[0064]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image / diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image / diagnosis support apparatus.

The image / diagnosis support apparatus 1 includes an image data input unit 2, an image output control signal input unit 3, an image processing unit 4, an image storage unit 5, an abnormal shadow candidate detection unit 6, an abnormal shadow storage unit 7, and an image output. Control means 10, image display means 8
It has a column and image printing means 9.

For input of image data from the image data input means 2, for example, in a group examination, radiographic images are usually taken using an X-ray film. A laser digitizer is used to input these radiographs into the system of this embodiment. In this method, a film is scanned with a laser beam, the amount of transmitted light is measured, and the value is converted from analog to digital to be input as digital image data.

For inputting an image, an apparatus using an optical sensor such as a CCD can be used. Instead of reading a film, it is also possible to connect a photographing device capable of directly outputting a digital image using a stimulable phosphor as described in JP-A-55-12429. . In this case, a film is not required, and cost can be reduced.

It is also possible to manually input an X-ray image obtained from a flat panel detector (FPD) that captures an X-ray image with a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged detection elements and outputs the image as an electric signal. For example, JP-A-6-34209
As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8 (1996) -1994, there is a method in which a photoconductive layer that generates electric charges according to the intensity of irradiated X-rays and a method that accumulates the generated electric charges in a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged capacitors. Used. Further, as described in JP-A-9-90048, a photodiode or the like in which X-rays are absorbed by a phosphor layer such as an intensifying screen to generate fluorescence and the intensity of the fluorescence is provided for each pixel. A method of detecting with a photodetector is also used. Other means for detecting fluorescence include CCD and CM.
There is also a method using an OS sensor. Further, a configuration in which an X-ray scintillator that emits visible light by X-ray irradiation, a lens array, and an area sensor corresponding to each lens is also used.

When a digital X-ray image is obtained by the various configurations described above, the effective pixel size of the image may be 200 mm for a mammogram, for example, depending on the imaging site and the purpose of diagnosis.
μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or less. In order to maximize the performance of the image diagnosis support apparatus of the present invention, for example, an effective pixel size of 5
It is preferable to store and display image data input at about 0 μm. The pixel size of the image data used in the analysis for abnormal shadow candidate detection in the abnormal shadow candidate detection means does not need to be equal to the pixel size of the input image. For example, the effective pixel size of the input image is set to 50 μm.
The image data used for abnormal shadow candidate detection may be obtained by thinning out an input image and converting it to an effective pixel size of 100 μm. The number of gradations of the image is preferably 10 bits or more, and particularly preferably 12 bits or more.

It is not necessary to limit to a simple X-ray image.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which image data obtained from an imaging device such as T or MRI is input.

In the image storage means 5, the input image data is stored after being subjected to data compression as required. Here, as the data compression, reversible compression or irreversible compression using a known method such as JPEG, DPCM, or wavelet compression is used. Reversible compression is preferable because there is no deterioration of diagnostic information due to data compression.

In a small-scale diagnosis, since the amount of data is not so large, image data can be stored on a magnetic disk without compression. In this case, image data can be stored and read at a much higher speed than a magneto-optical disk. When reading an image, a high-speed cycle time is required, so that necessary image data is also stored in a semiconductor memory.

The images stored in the image storage unit 5 are sequentially read out, image processing is performed by the image processing unit 4, and an abnormal shadow candidate is detected by the abnormal shadow detection unit 6.

The abnormal shadow detecting means 6 reads out from the image storage means 5 and analyzes the image data to detect, for example, a microcalcification cluster and a tumor shadow as shown in FIG. FIG. 22A shows an example of a microcalcification cluster. The presence of clustered microcalcifications is an important finding for finding early breast cancer, as it is likely to be early stage cancer. On the mammogram, it is seen as a small white shade with a generally conical structure. The tumor shadow shown in FIG.
On a mammogram with a certain size, it is seen as a whitish and round shadow that is close to a Gaussian distribution.

As described above, two major findings of breast cancer include a tumor shadow and a microcalcification cluster. As a method for detecting a tumor shadow, a method of detecting by comparing left and right breasts (Med. Phys., Vol. 21. no.3, p
p. 445-452), and a method of detecting using an iris filter (see IEICE (D-11), Vol. J75-D).
-11, no. 3, pp. 663-670,199
2), a method of detection using a Quoit filter (IEICE (D-11), Vol. J76-D-11, no.
3, pp. 279-287, 1993), a method of performing binarization based on a histogram of pixel values of a divided breast region and detection (JAMIT Frontier 95, pp. 84-85, 1995), a number of directional Laplacians Minimum Direction Difference Filter that Takes the Minimum Output of the Filter (IEEE (D-11), Vol. J76-D-1)
1, no. 2, pp. 241-249, 1993). Also, the method of detecting microcalcification clusters includes:
A method of localizing a region where calcification is suspected from the breast region and removing false positive candidates from the optical density difference of the shadow image and the standard deviation of the boundary density difference (IEEE Trans Biome)
d Eng BME-26 (4): 213-219,1
979), a method of detecting using an image subjected to Laplacian filter processing (IEICE (D-11), Vol. J7).
1-D-11, no. 10, pp. 1994-200
1, 1988), a detection method using an image obtained by morphological analysis to suppress the influence of a background pattern such as a mammary gland (see IEICE (D-11), Vol. J71-D-11.n).
o. 7, pp. 1170-1176, 1992).

The image to be displayed has been processed by the image processing means 5. Image processing by the image processing means 5 includes any one of gradation processing, frequency processing, and dynamic range compression processing. The gradation processing includes, in particular, image processing characterized in that a microcalcification cluster is output with stable contrast regardless of the region in the breast. In addition, the frequency processing includes, in particular, a method that creates a distance function from the skin line and performs dynamic range compression based on the distance function. Further, the image processing is characterized in that image processing under the same conditions is performed in the same direction and / or the same breast of the same patient. In the image processing, a condition may be determined for each image, or may be determined according to a predetermined condition.

When a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed on the image display means 8, it is preferable to perform image processing under the same conditions on all of the plurality of images.

A) Gradation Processing In gradation processing, a gradation conversion curve representing the correspondence between original image data (input) and gradation processed image data (output) is determined based on the analysis result of the image data. Tone processing is performed using this tone conversion curve. As a method of creating a gradation conversion curve, for example, based on histogram analysis of image data, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 55-116340 and
29, JP-A-63-31641, JP-A-63-2621
41 may be used. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
As shown in -218578, a method of setting an image region corresponding to a desired portion of a subject and determining based on image data in the region may be used. As the shape of the gradation conversion curve, for example, the shape shown in JP-B-63-20535 is used. The gradation conversion curve may be created each time for each image. However, as shown in JP-A-59-83149, it is necessary to modify a reference curve selected from several kinds of reference curves created in advance. Thus, a desired gradation conversion curve may be obtained.

If the irradiation field recognition processing for detecting the irradiation field area of the radiation is performed prior to the gradation processing, various image processing conditions are set by using the image data in the recognized irradiation field area. This is preferable because image processing of an image portion required for diagnosis can be appropriately performed. As a method of this irradiation field recognition processing, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-2595
38, JP-A-5-7579, and JP-A-7-181609 can be used.

MEDICAL IMAGING TEC
HNOLOGY Vol. 14 No. 6 November
mber 1996 Based on pages 66 to 671, a contrast correction curve is created which can correct the contrast of microcalcification images present in various regions to almost the same level. By converting the pixel values of all the pixels on the breast region image according to the correction curve, the mammary gland (fibrogranular tis) having reduced contrast is obtained.
Sue) and low-concentration area (low-d) of a mass (mass)
fat area (fat) in which the possibility that a microcalcification image is present is small.
The correction is performed so as to compress the density gradation of (area).

This contrast correction processing is effective not only in improving the automatic detection performance but also in facilitating visual observation inside the mammary gland tissue, and can be applied as an image processing method. is there.

B. Frequency Processing In frequency processing, the sharpness of an image is controlled by means such as a non-sharp mask processing shown in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 62-62373 and 62-62376 and a multi-resolution method shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-44645. be able to.

C. Dynamic range compression processing In dynamic range compression processing, for example,
The dynamic range of an arbitrary signal region can be compressed by using the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 503 or No. 2663189. As another example, a distance function from a skin line in a mammogram is created, and dynamic range compression is performed based on the distance function.

Since the density near the skin line is very high, there is a high possibility of blackening. This is because the mammogram imaging method takes an image across the breast. When the image is taken across the breast, the thickness of the breast is not sufficient near the skin line, so that X-rays pass through a thin human body region as compared with other regions, and the transmittance increases. In addition, the thickness of the breast decreases as the skin line approaches. For this reason, a dynamic function is compressed by creating a distance function determined by the distance from the skin line and reducing the pixel value near the skin line according to the distance function. A processing condition changing means for changing the processing conditions of the gradation processing, the frequency processing, and the dynamic range compression processing may be provided, and the changed conditions may be stored using the processing condition changing means.

In the image output signal input means 3, a mouse attached to the image display means 8 is used, for example, to change the gradation so as to increase the contrast of a portion that may have a lesion and to change the gradation to a level that is easier to diagnose. be able to. In this case, since the contrast changes continuously with the vertical movement of the mouse, and the brightness changes with the horizontal movement of the mouse, the desired gradation can be easily changed. Further, in addition to image enlargement processing by operating a mouse, processing such as image switching, gradation change, and image enlargement is performed. The enlargement of the image is performed by hardware, and the image can be instantaneously enlarged to an arbitrary magnification by moving the mouse around the location pointed by the pointer. In addition, since interpolation processing is performed,
Even if it is enlarged, it does not become a mosaic shape and diagnosis can be easily performed.
The image processing conditions determined as described above may be stored.

For example, in a group examination, image reading is performed in 5 to 20 seconds per sheet, and images are switched one after another. However, when a button-shaped area set in the upper right on the screen is pointed with a pointer and a mouse button is pressed. Switches instantly. Normally, it just switches to the next image in order,
It is also possible to return to the previous image by clicking on an adjacent area.

The doctor interprets the displayed image data. When an abnormality is found as a result of the image interpretation, an input may be performed by designating a location where an abnormal finding has been made on the display image, and the input finding information may be stored in the finding information storage means.

As the image display means 8, known image display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, and a plasma display can be used. Among them, a high-definition and high-brightness CRT or a liquid crystal display dedicated to medical images is most preferable. Further, a high definition display having a display pixel number of about 1000 × 1000 or more is preferable, and a high definition display having a display pixel number of about 2000 × 2000 or more is most preferable.

Further, for each of the displayed images, there is provided a display control number input means for controlling the display position of the image, the inversion of the image, and the rotation of the image. By performing position, image inversion, and image rotation, images can be compared and examined from various directions, and easy, quick, and accurate image diagnosis can be performed using medical images.

The image output control means 10 outputs an image to the image display means 8 or the image printing means 9 based on the image output signal of the image output signal input means 3.

The image data read from the image storage means 5 is displayed on the image display means 8. Image display means 8
Is switched and displayed as shown in FIG. 3, an all image display mode for simultaneously displaying mammogram images of all images, and all images are divided into at least two groups including a plurality of images,
A group display mode for displaying images included in the group, and display mode switching means for switching between the display modes.

In this embodiment, there is provided a display mode switching means for switching and displaying an image display mode according to a predetermined order. The CRT 20 is a four-division display (all image display) in which the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction are opposed to each other in the same direction, for example, the left and right breasts in the vertical imaging CC image and the oblique imaging MLO images are opposed to each other. ) Is performed. Next, the display is divided into two series, and in the series b, the display b1 is a two-split display (group display) in which the left and right breast MLO images are opposed to each other, the display b2 is a two-split display in which the left and right breast CC images are opposed, and the display b3 With right breast CC image and M
Two-split display with LO images facing each other, display b4: Two-split display with left breast CC images and MLO images facing each other, display b
5 Finally, the CC images of the left and right breasts are opposed to each other.
In the four-division display in which the images are opposed to each other, a mark 21 is added to the abnormal shadow candidate position of the image and displayed, and then the display returns to the first image display.

In the c-sequence, a mark 21 is added to an abnormal shadow candidate position of an image in a four-split display in which the CC images of the left and right breasts are opposed to each other in the display c1 and the MLO image is opposed to the display c2. Is a two-split display in which the left and right breast MLO images are opposed to each other, a display c3 is a two-split display in which the left and right breast CC images are opposed, and a display c4 is the right breast CC image and the MLO.
The image of the left breast is displayed on the split screen with the images facing each other, and the display c5 shows the CC of the left breast.
The image and the MLO image are displayed in two divisions facing each other, and then the display returns to the first image display.

The difference between the two series b and c is that the abnormal shadow detection means is displayed at an early stage or at a later stage. When the image is displayed at an early stage, the detection result of the abnormal shadow pointed out by the computer can be interpreted with particular care, which helps to reduce the burden on the doctor. If you show it at a later stage,
Since the result of the abnormal shadow detection is displayed, there is an effect of double image reading, which is useful for reducing oversight. In addition, since the two series can be freely changed, it is possible to select according to the doctor's preference or the situation of diagnosis, which is useful for improving the diagnostic performance.

The images included in the group include at least two images of the same patient with different imaging directions of the left breast, or at least two images of the same patient with different imaging directions of the right breast, or left and right breasts of the same patient. At least two images having different imaging directions, or at least two images having the same imaging direction of the left breast and the right breast of the same patient.

As described above, all-image display in which mammogram images of all images are simultaneously displayed, and group display in which all images are divided into at least two groups including a plurality of images and the images included in this group are displayed are performed. And 1
It is possible to compare and interpret the images of the two groups, and to make a quick, easy and accurate diagnosis.

Further, a display mode switching means for switching and displaying the image display mode in accordance with a predetermined order is provided, and the image display mode is switched and displayed in a predetermined order. It is possible to compare images without any omission or without omission, and to easily, quickly and accurately perform image diagnosis using medical images.

Further, there is provided a diagnosis order storage means for storing the order of the image diagnosis in advance, and the display mode is switched and displayed according to the order of the image diagnosis. As described above, the order of the image diagnosis is stored in advance, and the display mode is switched and displayed according to the order of the image diagnosis. Therefore, it is possible to set a preferred order for each doctor and perform the diagnosis, thereby improving the diagnostic performance. It is useful for quick and accurate image diagnosis.

The image display means 8 is provided with an operation display 40 constituted by a touch panel as shown in FIG. On the touch panel, a 4-split display key 40a, a right breast display key 40b, a left breast display key 40, an MLO image display key 40d, a CC image display key 40e, an all detection display key 40f, a mass display key 40g, a calc display key 40h, A cluster display key 40i is provided.

By operating the display mode selecting means 41a with the four-segment display key 40a, the right breast display key 40b, the left breast display key 40c, the MLO image display key 40d, the CC image display key 40e, etc. The arrangement of the image display is determined, and each shooting direction and display direction can be freely selected. In this way, the arrangement of the image display necessary for the image diagnosis is determined in advance, and each photographing direction and display direction can be freely selected. It is possible to easily, quickly and accurately perform an image diagnosis using medical images.

Further, all detection display key 40f, mas
s display key 40g, calc display key 40h, plus
The mammogram detection result is displayed by the detection result display means 41b such as the ter display key 40i. All the detection results are displayed with the all detection display key 40f, and the mass detection result of the tumor shadow is calculated by operating the mass display key 40g.
By operating the display key 40h, the result of microcalcification calc detection is displayed, and by operating the cluster display key 40i, the result of microcalcification cluster detection is displayed.

After the necessary key is pressed to display the detection result, for example, by pressing the same key, the display result can be easily erased, so that only the necessary result is displayed. It can be useful for diagnosis.

Further, by switching to any one of the switching method of switching the image display mode in accordance with a predetermined order and the switching method of switching to the display mode selected by the display mode selecting means 41a described above. For example, images can be compared without giving a physician's foresight or without omission, or images can be freely displayed and compared by a physician, etc., and easily and quickly using medical images. , Accurate image diagnosis can be performed.

Further, since patient information and examination information are stored in association with the images and a plurality of images of the same patient and the same examination are displayed, for example, by comparing the respective images, it is possible to easily and easily use medical images. Rapid and accurate image diagnosis can be performed.

It is desirable that the patient information has a relatively dark color. If the color is bright, the eyes of the doctor may be tired, and the diagnostic performance may be degraded.

Further, regarding the images included in the image group of the same patient and the same examination, the display position or the display image direction can be determined according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts.
By comparing and examining images from various directions, it is possible to easily, quickly and accurately perform image diagnosis using medical images.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the left breast image and the right breast image of the same patient and in the same imaging direction can be arranged and displayed side by side so that the nipple faces outward. it can. In this way, by displaying the left breast image and the right breast image of the same patient and the same imaging direction side by side so that the nipple faces outward, the respective images can be compared easily and quickly. , Accurate image diagnosis can be performed.

Further, the nipple side is trimmed. Since the image size can be reduced by trimming the nipple side of the image in this manner, there is an effect of improving display speed and saving memory. Further, by displaying the patient information 55 in a part of an area where the subject on the nipple side of the image is not shown, the patient information and the subject can be displayed without overlapping so that diagnosis can be easily and accurately performed. .

Further, the left breast and the right breast are aligned vertically, and the left breast and the right breast are aligned vertically so that the image is displayed accurately in the target state, and the left breast and the right breast are displayed. By facilitating comparison of breasts, improvement in diagnostic performance can be expected.

The alignment of the left breast and the right breast in the vertical direction is performed by automatic positioning means. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction are aligned based on the skin lines 60 and 61 of the image. The skin lines 60 and 61 of the breast are substantially symmetric with respect to the chest wall 67 direction in images in the same imaging direction. The shape of the skin line can be compared, and the left and right breasts can be matched at a position where the accumulated absolute value difference of the distance from the chest wall in the same row to the skin line is minimized.
Further, the position can be similarly adjusted using the border 65 between the pectoral muscle region 63 and the breast region 64. Such positioning means facilitates comparative reading by a doctor, and more accurate diagnosis can be expected.

Further, there is provided a photographing direction discriminating means for automatically discriminating the photographing directions of the MLO image and the CC image based on the analysis of the image data or the identification mark, and the left breast and the right breast are analyzed by the image data or the identification mark. It has right and left breast discriminating means for automatically discriminating, and it is not necessary for the user to perform grouping as necessary, and appropriate grouping is easily performed, so that quick and accurate diagnosis can be performed. .

Further, the apparatus has an abnormal shadow candidate detecting means 6 for detecting an abnormal shadow candidate of an image, and stores information detected by the abnormal shadow candidate detecting means 6 in the abnormal shadow storing means 7.
As described above, the abnormal shadow candidate of the image is detected, and the abnormal shadow candidate is displayed. The display of the abnormal shadow candidate is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a mark is added to the abnormal shadow candidate position of the image and displayed. 6 shows an example in which a mark is attached to an abnormal shadow candidate position in mass detection of a tumor shadow, FIG. 7 shows an example in which a mark is attached to an abnormal shadow candidate position in calc detection of microcalcification, and FIG. 8 shows microlime. This is an example in which a mark is attached to an abnormal shadow candidate position in the clutter detection of image formation, and a mark is added to the abnormal shadow candidate position of such an image, so that the abnormal shadow can be easily and reliably recognized. It is possible to perform an accurate and accurate image diagnosis. The shape of the mark is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, and may be, for example, an arrow. Further, it is desirable to change the shape and color according to the type of the abnormal shadow.

As shown in FIG. 9, a scale 70 can be added to an image. By adding the scale scale 70 to the image, it is possible to easily recognize, for example, the size of an abnormal shadow or the like by the scale scale.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a white portion 71, a transparent portion 72, etc. are generated in the image by the lead plate at the time of photographing.
Since it is difficult for a doctor to interpret the image if the white area is wide, the lead shielding part of the lead shielding part image is displayed in black. As described above, since the lead shielding portion of the image is displayed in black, it is not misunderstood, for example, that the lead shielding portion of the image is an abnormal shadow or the like.

The image displayed on the image display means 8 can be printed on a film or paper by the image printing means 9 as it is or after editing.

[0117]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, all the images are displayed at the same time, and all the images are divided into at least two groups including a plurality of images. By performing the group display that displays the images included in the group, it is possible to compare and interpret the images of one group, and it is possible to make a quick, easy, and accurate diagnosis.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, switching between display modes is performed according to a predetermined order, so that it is not necessary to determine the arrangement of images to be displayed simultaneously each time an image to be displayed is changed. Furthermore, since the images are displayed for each of the groups determined in advance, it is possible to perform the image diagnosis quickly and without omission.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diagnosis order storage means for storing the order of image diagnosis in advance, and switching between display modes is performed in accordance with the stored diagnosis order. It is possible to display images in a display order according to each preference, or to determine a display order according to a type of an image and a diagnosis situation, by specializing in a flow of a diagnosis.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of display modes required for image diagnosis are determined in advance, and a display mode selecting means capable of freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes is provided. Since the display mode is switched to the display mode selected by the mode selection means, the doctor can freely display the necessary images and the like for diagnosis, so that the desired images and the groups including the images can be directly and quickly displayed. In addition, it is possible to easily and quickly display an image to be focused on according to the type of the image and the state of the diagnosis.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by switching between the photographing direction display switching means and the display photographing direction selecting means,
All images can be diagnosed without omission, and, for example, a photographing direction to be diagnosed in detail once again can be easily and quickly displayed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the images included in the group include at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the left breast, or at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the right breast, or the same image. At least two images in which the imaging directions of the left and right breasts of the patient are different, or at least two images in which the imaging directions of the left and right breasts of the same patient are the same. By enabling display, comparative reading can be performed quickly and easily, and detection performance can be improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since patient information and examination information are stored in association with images and a plurality of images of the same patient and the same examination are displayed, information from the patient information and examination information and images are used. Information can be integrated and determined, and a doctor can easily and more accurately make a diagnosis.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the display position or the display image direction is determined according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts for the images included in the image group of the same patient and the same examination, the required image And the accuracy of diagnosis can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for each of the displayed images, the display position of the image, the inversion of the image,
By rotating the image, the images can be compared and examined from various directions, and the doctor can easily display the image in a desired direction, and can diagnose easily and quickly.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, an image of the left breast and an image of the right breast in the same patient and in the same imaging direction are arranged and displayed side by side so that the nipple faces outward, thereby displaying the same image. The breast in the direction is displayed as a target at a short distance, and the different directions of the same breast are displayed in the same direction, so that a doctor's diagnosis can be performed easily and quickly.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the nipple side of the image is trimmed and displayed, so that the area where the subject is not photographed is trimmed.
Or you can save memory.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the patient information or the examination information is not displayed by overlapping the patient information or the examination information with the image by overlaying the patient information or the examination information on a portion of the image on the nipple side. You can get
In addition, the diagnostic performance is improved without hindering the diagnosis.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the display position of the patient information or examination information is changed according to the imaging direction and the left and right breasts. In order not to disturb the area, an area where the subject is not shown can be found by the imaging direction or the right and left breasts, and patient information or examination information can be displayed in the area.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the patient information and the examination information are superimposed on a position in the image that does not overlap with the subject, so that the subject and the patient information or the examination information overlap, thereby preventing the doctor from interpreting the image. No.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the left breast and the right breast are aligned in the vertical direction, and the images are accurately compared and displayed in the target state, so that the comparative interpretation is easily performed. be able to.

According to the present invention, a means for automatically adjusting the positions of the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction based on the skin line of the breasts is provided, so that the doctor can easily compare the left and right breasts, Diagnostic performance is improved.

According to the seventeenth aspect, there is provided a means for automatically adjusting the positions of the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction based on the information of the breast collar, so that the doctor can easily compare the left and right breasts.

According to the eighteenth aspect, the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction can be aligned based on information on the nipples in the subject.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, when the photographing direction is automatically determined based on the analysis of the image data or the identification sign, the grouping of the photographing in the same direction can be performed when the group display of the images or the entire image display is performed. Since it is performed automatically, quick image diagnosis can be performed.

According to the twentieth aspect, since the left breast and the right breast are automatically determined by analyzing the image data or by the identification mark, the images are automatically grouped for each breast, or the images are placed at appropriate positions for each group. Can be displayed.

According to the twenty-first aspect, by detecting an abnormal shadow candidate of an image and displaying the abnormal shadow candidate, the abnormal shadow detection performance can be improved and the burden on the doctor can be improved.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, since a mark is added to an abnormal shadow candidate position of an image and displayed, the position of the abnormal shadow can be easily and reliably recognized, thereby improving the doctor's abnormal shadow extraction performance. I can expect that.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, gradation processing,
Since any one of the frequency processing and the dynamic range compression processing is performed and displayed, quick image diagnosis can be performed.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, since the image processing is performed under the same conditions for the same patient or the same examination, the diagnostic performance is improved.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, by adding a scale to an image, it is possible to easily recognize, for example, the size of an abnormal shadow or the like by the scale.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, since the lead shielding portion of the image is displayed with low luminance, there is no adverse effect of dazzling and degrading the interpretation result, so that the detection performance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mammogram image diagnosis support device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detection of a microcalcification cluster and a tumor shadow.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image switching display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram in which an image of a left breast and an image of a right breast in the same patient and in the same imaging direction are arranged and displayed side by side so that the nipple faces outward.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a mark is attached to an abnormal shadow candidate position in mass detection of a tumor shadow.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which marks are attached to abnormal shadow candidate positions in calc detection of microcalcification.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a mark is attached to an abnormal shadow candidate position in cluster detection of microcalcification.

FIG. 9 is a diagram in which a scale is added to an image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a white portion, a blank portion, or the like occurs due to a lead plate at the time of capturing an image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Mammogram image diagnosis support device 2 Image data input means 3 Image output signal input means 4 Image processing means 5 Image storage means 6 Abnormal shadow candidate detection means 7 Abnormal shadow storage means 8 Image display means 9 Image printing means 10 Image output control means

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus having image storage means for storing mammogram image data and image display means for displaying the stored mammogram image data, wherein the image display means converts a mammogram image of all images. A display mode for displaying all images simultaneously, and a group display mode for displaying all images included in at least two groups including a plurality of images, and switching between the display modes. A mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus, comprising: a display mode switching unit for performing the operation. 2. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display mode switching means switches between the display modes in a predetermined order. 3. A diagnostic order storage means for storing an order of image diagnosis in advance, wherein said display mode switching means switches between the respective display modes in accordance with the stored diagnostic order. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to claim 1. 4. A display mode selecting means for determining a plurality of display modes required for image diagnosis in advance and freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes, wherein said display mode switching means And switching to the display mode selected by the display mode selection means.
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to 1. 5. A display mode selecting means for determining a plurality of display modes necessary for image diagnosis in advance and freely selecting one of the plurality of display modes, wherein the display mode switching means comprises: It is possible to operate based on two types of switching methods: a switching method for switching between the display modes in accordance with a predetermined order, and a switching method for switching to the display mode selected by the display mode selecting means. 2. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching method designating means for designating one of the two switching methods. 6. The image included in the group includes at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the left breast, or at least two images of the same patient having different imaging directions of the right breast, or the left breast and right image of the same patient. The at least two images having different imaging directions of the breast, or at least two images having the same imaging direction of the left breast and the right breast of the same patient. Mammogram image diagnosis support device. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein patient information and examination information are stored in association with the image, and a plurality of images of the same patient and the same examination are displayed.
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to the above section. 8. The mammogram according to claim 7, wherein a display position or a display image direction of the images included in the image group of the same patient and the same examination is determined in accordance with a radiographing direction and left and right breasts. Image diagnosis support device. 9. For each of the displayed images,
2. A display control number input means for controlling a display position of an image, inversion of the image, and rotation of the image.
The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to claim 8. 10. The image of the left breast and the image of the right breast in the same patient and in the same imaging direction are arranged and displayed side by side with the nipple facing outward. 10. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to any one of items 9. 11. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the nipple side of the image is trimmed and displayed. 12. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said patient information or examination information is overlaid on a part of the image on the nipple side. 13. The mammogram image diagnosis according to claim 6, wherein a display position of the patient information or examination information is changed according to an imaging direction and left and right breasts. Support equipment. 14. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the patient information and the examination information are overlaid on a position in the image that does not overlap the subject. 15. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the left breast and the right breast are aligned vertically. 16. An automatic positioning means for positioning left and right breasts in the same photographing direction based on skin line information of a breast as a subject.
6. The mammogram image diagnosis support device according to 5. 17. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising automatic positioning means for positioning left and right breasts in the same imaging direction based on information on a breast collar in the subject. 18. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising automatic positioning means for positioning the left and right breasts in the same imaging direction based on information on the nipple in the subject. 19. The mammogram image according to claim 6, further comprising photographing direction discriminating means for automatically discriminating a photographing direction based on the analysis of the image data or an identification sign. Diagnosis support device. 20. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising left and right breast discriminating means for automatically discriminating a left breast and a right breast by analyzing or discriminating the image data. Mammogram image diagnosis support device. 21. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormal shadow candidate detecting means for detecting an abnormal shadow candidate of the image. 22. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a mark is added to an abnormal shadow candidate position of the image and displayed. 23. The mammogram image according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed after being subjected to any one of gradation processing, frequency processing, and dynamic range compression processing. Diagnosis support device. 24. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said image processing is performed under the same conditions for the same patient or the same examination. 25. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scale is added to the image. 26. The mammogram image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a radiation lead shielding portion in the image is displayed at a low density.