JP2008279277A - Image displaying method, apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an explanation to a patient easily when images are displayed on a monitor. <P>SOLUTION: A table T in which various findings are related to image processing parameters P is stored in a storage means 2. When a finding is entered from an entry means 1, an image processing means 3 acquires the image processing parameters P suitable for the finding based on the finding. Then, an image displaying apparatus acquires processed image data S1 by performing image processing on image data S0 in accordance with the acquired image processing parameters P and displays a processed image on the monitor 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display method and apparatus for displaying a medical image on a monitor, and a program for causing a computer to execute the image display method.

  Conventionally, in the medical image field, a plurality of image data representing a radiation image of a patient is stored in an image server in a hospital, and the image data is transferred to the terminal in response to a request from a terminal connected to the image server via a network. There is known a system for transferring and displaying. In such a system, an image obtained by imaging a patient with an input modality such as a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus, a CT (Computerized Tomography) apparatus, or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus. Data is stored in the image server for each patient and for each examination. At this time, the image data is subjected to image processing such as frequency enhancement processing, gradation processing, dynamic range compression processing, and the like as necessary. Alternatively, an image processing parameter for performing the image processing is given. Then, the doctor transfers patient image data from the image server to his / her terminal, performs image processing according to image processing parameters if necessary, displays an image, and performs diagnosis while observing the displayed image.

  On the other hand, energy subtraction processing for obtaining an image corresponding to a difference between a plurality of medical images photographed under different conditions is also performed. Specifically, the energy subtraction process is a process of obtaining an image in which only a specific subject portion in a medical image is emphasized or extracted by performing a subtraction process in which pixels are associated between a plurality of medical images.

  In addition, in order to check the healing status and progress of the disease, the medical image obtained in the latest examination and the medical image obtained in the past examination are subjected to a subtraction process in which pixels are associated between the images, A so-called temporal subtraction process for extracting a difference between medical images is also performed. By extracting only the difference between the images in this way, it is possible for the image interpreter to surely recognize the difference between the images, and thus it is possible to prevent oversight of a lesion that heals or progresses.

  In the system as described above, image data obtained in the input modality (including image data obtained by energy subtraction processing or temporal subtraction processing) is stored in an image server and then used for specialized interpretation. Interpreted by a radiologist. This interpretation is performed by the radiographer displaying image data to be diagnosed on his / her terminal and creating an interpretation report and / or electronic medical record describing the findings, the degree of disease, the degree of progression of the lesion, etc. . The created electronic medical record is stored in the image server in association with the image data that has been interpreted.

  On the other hand, explanation of the diagnosis result to the patient is performed by a clinician of internal medicine or surgery who directly contacts the patient. In this case, the clinician displays the image data on his / her terminal and refers to the interpretation report and / or the electronic medical record to explain the disease name, findings, degree of disease, extent of lesion, treatment method, and the like.

  However, the patient who receives the explanation does not know the normal image even if he / she sees the image including the abnormal part due to the disease, and thus cannot easily recognize which part of the image is abnormal. The abnormal part is a part where the signal value of the image data changes slightly compared with other parts, but it is difficult for the patient to read the change of the signal value from the image as a change in shading. Furthermore, since the abnormal part is often a minute part, it is difficult to find the abnormal part on the image.

  For this reason, it is conceivable to perform image processing on the image data so that the patient can easily understand. However, since a clinician is not a specialist in image processing, it is difficult to perform optimal image processing that can be easily understood by a patient on image data. Further, it is not preferable to perform such optimal image processing on the image data because a new work load is generated for the clinician.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily explain a diagnosis result for a patient.

The first image processing method according to the present invention is an image display method for performing image processing on medical image data to obtain processed image data, and displaying a processed medical image represented by the processed image data on a monitor. In
Receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
The image processing is performed on the medical image data with an image processing parameter corresponding to the medical explanation information.

  “Image processing” specifically includes gradation processing, frequency enhancement processing, dynamic range compression processing, enlargement processing, density conversion processing, and the like.

  “Image processing parameter” refers to a parameter required when performing gradation processing, frequency enhancement processing, dynamic range compression processing, enlargement processing, density conversion processing, and the like on image data. Specifically, the slope of the gradation conversion curve in the gradation processing, the enhancement coefficient representing the degree of the frequency enhancement processing in the frequency enhancement processing, the coefficient representing the degree of compression in the dynamic range compression processing, the enlargement ratio in the enlargement processing, and the density conversion A coefficient representing the density conversion amount in the processing can be used as a parameter.

  The “monitor” may be any one that can display an image, such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display.

  “Medical explanation information” refers to information indicating an examination method, findings, disease name, disease degree (mild or severe), imaging region, imaging method, and / or disease progression degree, and the like.

  The receipt of the medical explanation information may be received from a keyboard or a mouse, and if an electronic medical record is created, it is obtained by acquiring the medical explanation information described in the electronic medical record. Also good.

  “Image processing parameter according to medical explanation information” refers to a parameter capable of performing image processing on medical image data so that a diagnosis result can be easily explained to a patient. Specifically, it refers to a parameter that can be subjected to image processing so that minute signal changes in a lesion can be emphasized.

A second image display method according to the present invention is an image display method in which medical image data is subjected to image processing to obtain processed image data, and the processed medical image represented by the processed image data is displayed on a monitor. In
Receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
The plurality of types of image processing is performed on the medical image data according to image processing parameters for the plurality of types of image processing according to the medical explanation information.

A third image display method according to the present invention is an image display method for performing image processing on medical image data to obtain processed image data, and displaying a processed medical image represented by the processed image data on a monitor. In
For the medical image represented by the medical image data, accepting the finding area in the medical image obtained the finding and the input of the finding,
The image processing is performed on the medical image data based on region information representing the finding region and the finding.

  Here, when interpreting a normal medical image, a lesion is observed to create a finding. Therefore, the “finding region” means a region in a predetermined range in the medical image including the lesioned part where the finding is obtained. Note that the findings created when creating the electronic medical record may include information defining the finding area (for example, the coordinate values of the four corners when the finding area is rectangular). In this case, by accepting the input of the findings, it is possible to accept both the findings and the findings area.

  The “image processing” in the third image display method according to the present invention is a process that can easily explain the diagnosis result in the finding area to the patient, and is applied only to the image data in the finding area. It may be applied to the entire medical image data.

A fourth image display method according to the present invention is an image display method for displaying a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor.
Receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
Whether to display at least one reference image related to the medical image is switched according to the medical explanation information.

  The “reference image” is an image that is referred to when the medical image is displayed and the diagnosis result is explained to the patient, and the diagnosis result for the medical image can be easily explained by referring to the reference image. Something like that. For example, when temporal subtraction processing with past image data is performed using medical image data, the temporal subtraction image and past image can be used as reference images.

  If it is possible to easily explain the diagnosis result to the patient without using the reference image, the medical image can be displayed larger on the monitor if the reference image is not displayed. It is easy. According to the fourth image display method of the present invention, in order to prevent the reference image from being displayed in such a case, the display of the reference image is switched according to the medical explanation information.

According to a fifth image display method of the present invention, in the image display method of displaying a plurality of medical images represented by a plurality of medical image data on a monitor in a predetermined order and / or a predetermined layout,
Receiving medical explanation information about the plurality of medical images;
The predetermined order and / or the predetermined layout are set according to the medical explanation information.

  “Set a predetermined order and / or a predetermined layout” means setting an order for displaying a plurality of medical images and / or a layout for displaying a plurality of medical images so that the diagnosis results can be easily explained to the patient. To do.

A sixth image display method according to the present invention is an image display method for displaying a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor.
Based on the medical explanation information related to the medical image, from the storage means that stores a plurality of normal images for various parts, select a corresponding normal image including a part corresponding to an abnormal part included in the medical image,
The normal image is displayed together with the medical image.

  “Display together with corresponding normal image and medical image” may be a method of displaying the corresponding normal image and the medical image side by side, or a method of sequentially switching and displaying the corresponding normal image and the medical image. Good.

The first image display device according to the present invention performs image processing on medical image data to obtain processed image data, and displays a processed medical image represented by the processed image data on a monitor. In
Input means for receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
And image processing means for performing the image processing on the medical image data according to image processing parameters corresponding to the medical explanation information.

A second image display device according to the present invention performs image processing on medical image data to obtain processed image data, and displays a processed medical image represented by the processed image data on a monitor In
Input means for receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
And image processing means for performing the plurality of types of image processing on the medical image data according to the image processing parameters for the plurality of types of the image processing according to the medical explanation information. .

A third image display device according to the present invention performs image processing on medical image data to obtain processed image data, and displays a processed medical image represented by the processed image data on a monitor In
An input means for receiving an input of a finding area in the medical image obtained from the medical image represented by the medical image data and the finding;
And image processing means for performing the image processing on the medical image data based on the region information representing the finding region and the findings.

A fourth image display device according to the present invention is an image display device that displays a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor.
Input means for receiving input of medical explanation information related to the medical image represented by the medical image data;
According to the medical explanation information, there is provided switching means for switching presence / absence of display of at least one reference image related to the medical image.

A fifth image display device according to the present invention is an image display device that displays a plurality of medical images represented by a plurality of medical image data on a monitor in a predetermined order and / or a predetermined layout.
Input means for receiving input of medical explanation information about the plurality of medical images;
According to the medical explanation information, a layout setting means for setting the predetermined order and / or the predetermined layout is provided.

A sixth image display device according to the present invention is an image display device that displays a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor.
Storage means for storing a plurality of normal images for various parts based on medical explanation information about the medical images;
Selecting means for selecting a corresponding normal image including a part corresponding to an abnormal part included in the medical image from the storage means;
And a display means for displaying the normal image together with the medical image.

  The image display method according to the present invention may be provided as a program for causing a computer to execute the image display method.

  According to the first image display method and apparatus of the present invention, image processing is performed on medical image data with image processing parameters corresponding to medical explanation information. In addition, according to the second image display method and apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of types of image processing are performed on medical image data using image processing parameters for a plurality of types of image processing according to medical explanation. Therefore, it is possible to obtain processed image data that can reproduce the processed image that can easily explain the diagnostic result, and the patient can easily recognize the diagnostic result by referring to the processed image. Can do. In addition, the clinician explaining the diagnosis result to the patient does not need to have specialized knowledge regarding image processing, thereby reducing the burden on the clinician.

  According to the third image display method and apparatus of the present invention, image processing is performed on medical image data based on the image data in the finding area and the findings. For this reason, it is possible to perform image processing that can easily explain the diagnosis result to the patient on the image in the finding region where the finding is obtained. Can be recognized. In addition, the clinician explaining the diagnosis result to the patient does not need to have specialized knowledge regarding image processing, thereby reducing the burden on the clinician.

  According to the fourth image display method and apparatus of the present invention, whether or not to display at least one reference image related to the medical image is switched according to the medical explanation information. Therefore, when it is easier to explain to the patient using the reference image, the reference image is displayed, so that the diagnosis result to the patient can be easily explained. On the other hand, when the explanation to the patient can be easily performed without using the reference image, the reference image is not displayed. Therefore, a medical image can be displayed largely on a monitor, and further, the trouble of switching the screen or displaying images on a plurality of monitors can be omitted.

  According to the fifth image display method and apparatus of the present invention, the display order and / or layout of a plurality of medical images is set according to the medical explanation information. Therefore, it is possible to set the display order and / or layout of the display of a plurality of medical images so that the diagnosis results can be easily explained to the patient. This makes it easy for the doctor to explain the diagnosis results to the patient. It can be carried out.

  According to the sixth image display method and apparatus of the present invention, a medical image including an abnormal part and a corresponding normal image are displayed. For this reason, the patient can easily compare the abnormal part and the normal part, and the doctor can easily explain the diagnosis result to the patient.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 1 that receives an input of a finding that represents an interpretation result of image data S0, various findings, and an image processing parameter P. Based on the storage means 2 storing the associated table T and the findings input from the input means 1, the table T stored in the storage means 2 is referred to, and the image data S0 is imaged as will be described later. An image processing unit 3 that performs processing to obtain processed image data S1 and a monitor 4 that displays the processed image data S1 are provided.

  The image data S0 may be stored in an image database (not shown) or may be recorded on a medium.

  The input means 1 may be a manual operation for inputting the findings described in the interpretation report or the electronic medical record, such as a keyboard or a mouse, and is stored in an image database (not shown) or recorded on a medium. The findings described in the electronic medical record provided in this way may be read out and input to the image processing means 3.

  In the present embodiment, the table T stored in the storage means 2 is a table showing the findings about typical symptoms in chest diagnosis such as interstitial diseases of the chest, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema, and the diagnosis results for the patient. This table is associated with image processing parameters P (hereinafter referred to as optimum image processing parameters) for performing image processing on the image data S0 so that the description can be easily performed.

  The image processing means 3 acquires the optimum image processing parameter P for the image processing to be applied to the image data S0 with reference to the table T stored in the storage means 2 based on the findings input in the input means 1 The processed image data S1 is obtained by subjecting the image data S0 to image processing using the optimum image processing parameter P. In the first embodiment, the image processing unit 1 performs one type of image processing on the image data S0.

  Here, as a result of evaluation by a radiologist on typical symptoms in chest diagnosis such as interstitial diseases of the chest, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, emphysema, etc. and normal cases without any symptoms, `` light wet shadow '' It was found that the “nodule”, “reticular shadow”, and “granular shadow” have different image processing parameters that make the disease easy to see. For example, when the image processing is frequency enhancement processing, it is preferable to reduce the degree of enhancement of the frequency enhancement processing for “light wet shadow”, and “nodule”, “reticular shadow” and “granular shadow” (hereinafter referred to as nodule). It was found that it is preferable to increase the degree of emphasis. Also, when the image processing is gradation processing, it is preferable to have a high contrast for “light wet shadows”, and it is preferable to have a low contrast for “nodules”. I understood that.

  Therefore, when the image processing is frequency enhancement processing, the table T associates “light wet shadows” with image processing parameters P that are weakly enhanced or not enhanced, and “nodules etc.” and the degree of enhancement. Is associated with a strong image processing parameter P. When the image processing is gradation processing, the table T associates “light wet shadows” with image processing parameters P that increase contrast, and “nodules” and image processing parameters P that decrease contrast. Corresponds.

  The monitor 4 displays image data on a screen such as a CRT monitor, a liquid crystal monitor, or a plasma display.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. First, an input of a finding is received (step S1), and an optimum image processing parameter P is acquired with reference to the table T stored in the storage unit 2 based on the inputted finding (step S2). Then, the image data S0 is subjected to image processing with the acquired optimum image processing parameter P to obtain processed image data S1 (step S3). The processed image represented by the processed image data S1 is displayed on the monitor 4 (step S4) and is used for explaining diagnosis to the patient.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the image processing is performed on the image data S0 with the optimum image processing parameter P corresponding to the findings, the processed image that can easily explain the diagnosis result. Can be obtained, and the patient can easily recognize the diagnosis result by referring to the processed image. In addition, the clinician explaining the diagnosis result to the patient does not need to have specialized knowledge regarding image processing, thereby reducing the burden on the clinician.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an image processing unit 3 'that performs two types of image processing is provided.

  In the second embodiment, the table T stored in the storage unit 2 associates findings with image processing parameters P for two types of image processing, and combinations of two types of image processing. Is. Here, examples of the combination of the two types of image processing include frequency enhancement processing and gradation processing, frequency enhancement processing and dynamic range compression processing, dynamic range compression processing and gradation processing, and the like. The image processing parameter P is stored in the storage unit 2 as a table T.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. First, an input of a finding is accepted (step S11), and based on the inputted finding, a table T stored in the storage unit 2 is referred to, and two types of image processing combinations and optimum image processing parameters for this combination are used. P is acquired (step S12). Then, two types of image processing are performed on the image data S0 with the acquired optimum image processing parameter P to obtain processed image data S1 (step S13). The processed image represented by the processed image data S1 is displayed on the monitor 4 (step S14) and is used for explaining diagnosis to the patient.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since two types of image processing are performed on the image data S0 using the image processing parameter P for the two types of image processing according to the findings, the explanation of the diagnosis result will be given. The processed image data S1 that can reproduce the processed image that can be easily performed can be obtained, and the patient can easily recognize the diagnosis result. In addition, the clinician explaining the diagnosis result to the patient does not need to have specialized knowledge regarding image processing, thereby reducing the burden on the clinician.

  In the second embodiment, two types of image processing are performed on the image data S0. However, three or more types of image processing may be performed.

  In the first and second embodiments, a plurality of findings may be obtained for one image data S0. In such a case, the image processing parameter P may be acquired according to the findings and image processing may be performed on the image data S0 to obtain processed image data S1 for each finding. Then, the processed image represented by the processed image data S1 for each finding may be displayed on the monitor 4. At this time, the processed images for each finding may be displayed side by side, or may be sequentially switched and displayed.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the image processing is performed using the image processing parameter P corresponding to the finding using the table T in which the finding is associated with the image processing parameter P. A table T in which other medical explanation information such as findings, disease name, disease degree (mild or severe), imaging region, imaging method, and / or disease progression degree are associated with the image processing parameter P may be used. Good. In this case, the input means 1 may receive input of medical explanation information, and the optimal image processing parameter P may be acquired by referring to the table T based on the input medical explanation information.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals in the third embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the third embodiment, the input unit 1 accepts input of region information representing a region including a lesioned part that has obtained a finding in the image represented by the image data S0 (referred to as a finding region), and the image processing unit 3 The difference from the first embodiment is that the image processing according to the observation area and the observation is performed on the image data S0.

  In the third embodiment, the table T stored in the storage unit 2 associates findings and findings areas with image processing parameters P of image processing performed on the image data S0.

  Here, image processing is performed so that the diagnosis results for the patient can be easily explained when there is a mass shadow in the lung field region in the medical image of the chest and when there is a tumor shadow in the mediastinum region. The optimum image processing parameters P that can be applied are different. In other words, because the amount of radiation transmitted at the time of imaging differs between the lung field region and the mediastinum region, if the contrast of the lung field region is optimized, the mediastinum region is saturated on the high luminance side, and the mediastinum region It becomes difficult to recognize information. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the table T that associates the finding area and the finding with the optimum image processing parameter P for the finding area is stored in the storage unit 2, and the table T is referred to. Image processing is performed on the image data S0 with the finding region and the image processing parameter P that is optimal for the finding.

  For example, when the finding area is a rectangle, the input means 1 may accept the input of the area information representing the finding area as coordinate values specifying the four corners. In addition, since the distribution of signal values in the image data S0 is often different depending on the finding area, the finding input by the input means 1 includes a keyword representing the finding area such as “lung field” or “mediastinum”. If it is, the region information representing the finding region may be obtained from the finding.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment. First, input of region information representing a finding and a finding region is received (step S21). Based on the inputted finding and region information, the table T stored in the storage unit 2 is referred to, and according to the finding and the finding region. The optimum image processing parameter P obtained is acquired (step S22). Then, the image data S0 is subjected to image processing with the acquired optimum image processing parameter P to obtain processed image data S1 (step S23). The processed image represented by the processed image data S1 is displayed on the monitor 4 (step S24) and is used for explaining diagnosis to the patient.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since image processing is performed on the image data S0 based on the region information representing the finding region and the findings, the image in the finding region where the findings are obtained is obtained. Image processing that can easily explain the diagnosis result to the patient can be performed, and thus the patient can easily recognize the diagnosis result. In addition, the clinician explaining the diagnosis result to the patient does not need to have specialized knowledge regarding image processing, thereby reducing the burden on the clinician.

  In the third embodiment, the image processing is performed on the image data S0. However, the image processing may be performed only on the image data in the finding area.

  In the third embodiment, image processing (that is, enlargement processing) for enlarging an image in the finding area may be performed. Here, as enlargement processing, linear interpolation calculation, high-order interpolation calculation such as spline interpolation, etc., interpolation calculation that emphasizes sharpness for edge portions and smoothness for flat portions (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-321981) Various methods such as these can be used. The enlargement ratio may be determined according to the findings.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals in the fourth embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the subtraction means 6 obtains subtraction image data Ssub representing the subtraction images for the two image data S11 and S12, and stores the image data S11 and S12 and the subtraction image data Ssub in the image database 7. The switching unit 8 switches whether to display a reference image other than the image displayed on the monitor 4 (here, an image represented by the subtraction image data Ssub) in accordance with the findings input from the input unit 1. This is different from the first embodiment.

  In the subtraction means 6, energy subtraction processing or temporal subtraction processing is performed. Here, when energy subtraction processing is performed, the image data S11 and S12 are obtained by photographing a subject using radiations having different energies. Then, energy subtraction processing for performing subtraction processing between corresponding pixels of the images represented by the image data S11 and S12 is performed to obtain subtraction image data Ssub. In the case of performing energy subtraction, two subtraction image data Ssub1 and Ssub2 each representing a bone part image representing a bone part and a soft part image representing a soft part included in the subject are obtained.

  On the other hand, when performing the temporal subtraction process, the image data S11 and S12 respectively represent an image obtained in the past examination and an image obtained in the latest examination. Then, subtraction image data Ssub is obtained by performing temporal subtraction processing in which subtraction processing is performed between corresponding pixels of the images represented by the image data S11 and S12.

  Here, when the energy subtraction process is performed in the subtraction means 6, normally, in addition to one of the image data S 11 and S 12, both the soft part image and the bone part image are acquired as reference images from the image database 7 and are monitored 4. However, when the finding input by the input means 1 is “calcification”, it is difficult to specify the calcification portion even if the soft part image is displayed. Therefore, when the finding input by the input unit 1 is “calcification”, the switching unit 8 does not acquire the subtraction image data Ssub2 representing the soft part image, and one of the image data S11 and S12 and Only the subtraction image data Ssub1 representing the bone part image is acquired and displayed on the monitor 4.

  Here, radiographic image information representing a subject is accumulated and recorded in a stimulable phosphor sheet, excited light is emitted to generate stimulated emission light, and image data is obtained by photoelectrically detecting the stimulated emission light. When obtaining, as an aspect of obtaining two image data S11 and S12 for performing energy subtraction processing, a member that absorbs energy, such as a copper plate, is provided between two sheets of stimulable phosphor sheets, and radiation transmitted through the subject is emitted. One shot method of irradiating two stimulable phosphor sheets at once (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-83486). Irradiating two stimulable phosphor sheets with high energy and low energy radiation transmitted through the subject. And a two-shot method (see JP-A-60-225541). In the present embodiment, when the image data S11 and S12 are obtained by the one-shot method, the image data based on the low energy radiation obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet on the side close to the subject is obtained by the two-shot method. When the image data S11 and S12 are obtained, the image data based on the high-energy radiation is displayed on the monitor 4.

  On the other hand, when the subtraction means 6 performs the temporal subtraction process, the subtraction image data Ssub is normally displayed on the monitor 4 as a reference image in addition to the latest image data S12. However, when the findings input in the input unit 1 are “no disease” or “no change in progress”, the image represented by the subtraction image data Ssub includes only artifacts due to misalignment, It does not contain useful information that can be explained to the patient. Therefore, when the finding input by the input unit 1 is “no disease” or “no change in progress”, the switching unit 8 displays the latest image data S12 without acquiring the subtraction image data Ssub. Only the image to be processed is acquired from the image database 7 and displayed on the monitor 4.

  Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment. Here, the subtraction image data Ssub1, Ssub2 and the image data S11, S12 respectively representing the bone image and the soft image obtained by performing the energy subtraction process in the subtraction means 6 are stored in the image database 7. To do.

  First, the input unit 1 receives an instruction to obtain image data S11 or S12 and an input of findings (step S31). The switching means 8 switches the presence / absence of the display of the reference image (that is, the bone part image and the soft part image) based on the input findings (step S32). For example, if the finding is “calcification”, only the subtraction image data Ssub1 representing the bone image is read from the image database 7 in order to display only the bone image on the monitor 4. If the finding is other than “calcification”, subtraction image data Ssub1, Ssub2 representing both the bone image and the soft image are displayed in the image database 7 in order to display both the bone image and the soft image on the monitor 4. Get from. Then, the image and the reference image represented by the acquired image data S11 or S12 are displayed on the monitor 4 (step S33), and are used for explaining the diagnosis to the patient.

  The display mode on the monitor 4 in the fourth embodiment may be one in which a plurality of images are displayed on one screen as shown in FIG. 9, but a plurality of images as shown in FIG. The images may be sequentially switched and displayed. When there are a plurality of monitors 4, one image may be displayed on each monitor 4.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, whether or not to display at least one reference image related to the image to be displayed is switched according to the findings. When the explanation is easy, a reference image is displayed and the diagnosis result to the patient can be explained easily. On the other hand, when the explanation to the patient can be easily performed without using the reference image, the reference image is not displayed. Therefore, the image can be displayed largely on the monitor 4, and further, the trouble of switching the screen or displaying it on the plurality of monitors 4 can be omitted.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals in the fifth embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the image database 17 that stores a plurality of image data Sn and the plurality of images represented by the plurality of image data Sn stored in the image database 17 are input when displayed on the monitor 4. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes layout setting means 9 for setting the display layout of a plurality of images displayed on the monitor 4 in accordance with the findings input in the means 1.

  Here, when the image to be displayed on the monitor 4 is obtained by the energy subtraction process described in the fourth embodiment, and the finding is “calcification”, the bone image is observed. Thus, the calcified portion can be easily recognized. Accordingly, in the case where the plurality of image data Sn is image data that has been subjected to energy subtraction processing, and subtraction image data that represents a soft part image and a bone part image, when the finding is “calcification”, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the layout setting unit 9 sets the layout so that the bone part image is displayed in the largest size.

  Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment. First, the input unit 1 receives an instruction to obtain a plurality of image data Sn and an input of findings (step S41). The layout changing unit 9 sets the display layout of the plurality of image data Sn based on the input findings (step S42). The plurality of image data Sn are displayed on the monitor 4 with the set layout (step S43), and are used for explanation of diagnosis to the patient.

  Thus, in the fifth embodiment, since the display layout of a plurality of images is set according to the findings, the diagnosis result to the patient can be easily explained.

  In the fifth embodiment, the display layout of the plurality of image data Sn is set according to the input findings, but the display order of the plurality of image data Sn may be set.

  In the third embodiment, when the enlargement process is performed on the finding area, a display layout of the original image and the enlarged image may be set. In this case, as the display layout, the original image and the enlarged image may be displayed side by side, or may be sequentially switched and displayed. Furthermore, it is good also as a layout which displays the image after an expansion | superposition on the unnecessary area | region (for example, sinking part to which direct radiation was irradiated) in the image before an expansion.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals in the sixth embodiment denote the same components as those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the sixth embodiment, image data S20 to be displayed and image database 27 for storing normal image data S21 representing a plurality of normal images for various parts, and image data S20 stored in the image database 27 are stored. , Normal image data S21 representing a disease-free state for the imaging region is selected from the image database 27 based on the imaging region input from the input unit 1, and the image data S20 and the image data S21 are displayed. Is different from that of the first embodiment in that a control means 10 is displayed on the monitor 4. The control unit 10 corresponds to the selection unit.

  Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment. First, the input unit 1 receives a display instruction for the image data S20 and an input of an imaging region (step S51). Based on the input information representing the imaging region, the control means 10 reads out the image data S20 and normal image data S21 representing the normal image corresponding to the imaging region in the image database 27 (step S52). Then, the image data S20 and the normal image data S21 are displayed on the monitor 4 (step S53), and are used for explaining the diagnosis to the patient. Note that the image represented by the image data S20 and the normal image may be displayed side by side or may be sequentially switched and displayed.

  Thus, in the sixth embodiment, since the monitor 4 displays an image including an abnormal part and a normal image, the patient can easily compare the abnormal part with the normal part. The doctor can easily explain the diagnosis result to the patient.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. Flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment The figure which shows the display mode of the image in a monitor (the 1) The figure which shows the display mode of the image in a monitor (the 2) The schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus by the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the display layout of the image Flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment The schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus by the 6th Embodiment of this invention. Flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input means 2 Storage means 3, 3 'Image processing means 4 Monitor 6 Subtraction means 7, 17, 27 Image database 8 Switching means 9 Layout setting means 10 Control means

Claims (3)

In an image display method for displaying a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor,
Based on the medical explanation information related to the medical image, from the storage means that stores a plurality of normal images for various parts, select a corresponding normal image including a part corresponding to an abnormal part included in the medical image,
An image display method, wherein the normal image is displayed together with the medical image. In an image display device for displaying a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor,
Storage means for storing a plurality of normal images for various parts based on medical explanation information about the medical images;
Selecting means for selecting a corresponding normal image including a part corresponding to an abnormal part included in the medical image from the storage means;
An image display device comprising: a display unit that displays the normal image together with the medical image. In a program for causing a computer to execute an image display method for displaying a medical image represented by medical image data on a monitor,
A procedure for selecting a corresponding normal image including a part corresponding to an abnormal part included in the medical image from a storage unit that stores a plurality of normal images for various parts based on the medical explanation information regarding the medical image;
A program for displaying the corresponding normal image together with the medical image.

Images