JP2007135828A - Diagnostic imaging support system and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support a medical doctor in a diagnostic imaging by providing images having information that a functional image has and also information that a morphic image has. <P>SOLUTION: The diagnostic imaging support system is provided with a CT read part for reading CT image data including a plurality of tomographic images and a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) read part for reading SPECT image data. Then, the diagnostic imaging support system selects one tomographic image from the plurality of tomographic images and displays a display image 100 having a display area 110 for the selected tomographic image and a display area 120 for a SPECT image. The display image 100 is further provided with an area 130 for receiving the selection of a first position on the tomographic image and a second position on the SPECT image by intersections 115A and 125A of line cursors 115 and 125 and superimposing and displaying the tomographic image and the SPECT image so that the first position and the second position match. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for supporting diagnosis using an image obtained by photographing a subject, and more particularly, to a technique for assisting diagnosis by superimposing and displaying images of the same subject photographed by different methods.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image diagnosis support system that supports diagnosis by a doctor using an image obtained by photographing a subject is known. There are various types of images taken of the subject used here.

  For example, a nuclear medicine (Radio Isotope, RI) image, which is a functional image that visualizes the function of the subject based on the physiological function and metabolic information of the subject, is used. As RI images, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (gamma rays emitted from the radioisotope are introduced into the subject's body). Tomography, PET) is used (for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, in order to grasp the anatomical form and position of an organ three-dimensionally with high accuracy, a tomographic image by X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is used (for example, a patent). References 2, 3).
JP 2005-137558 A JP 2003-290173 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-40465

  By the way, since the RI image is a functional image, there is a feature that an organ unrelated to the physiological function or metabolic information of interest is not captured. Therefore, in the RI image, the anatomical organ morphology and position information are reduced.

  On the other hand, in the CT image and the MRI image, it is possible to obtain the detailed form and position information of the organ, but unlike the RI image, information based on the function of the organ does not appear in the image. That is, the information obtained from each differs depending on the imaging method.

  Therefore, useful information for the doctor can be provided by combining images taken by different imaging methods. For example, if an image having both information regarding functions and information such as organ morphology can be obtained, improvement in the accuracy of image diagnosis by a doctor is expected, and clinical significance is great.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for supporting image diagnosis by a doctor by providing an image having both of the information of each image using images taken by different imaging methods. It is.

  An image diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes means for reading tomographic image data including a plurality of first tomographic images obtained by tomographic imaging of a subject with a first imaging means; Means for reading image data of a second image obtained by imaging the subject by the imaging means; selection means for selecting one first tomographic image from the plurality of first tomographic images; and the selected A first display means for displaying the first tomographic image and the second image side by side on a display device; a first position on the first tomographic image; and a second position on the second image. The first tomographic image and the second image are superimposed and displayed on the display device so that the receiving means for receiving the selection of the position matches the selected first position and the second position. Second display means to be provided.

  Thereby, an image having both the information of the first tomographic image by the first imaging unit and the information of the second image by the second imaging unit can be provided, and image diagnosis can be supported.

  In a preferred embodiment, when the means for accepting the selection accepts the selection of the second position by a single input operation on a predetermined input device after the first position is selected, the first position is selected. The display means includes the first tomographic image so that the first position in the display area of the first tomographic image is the same as the second position in the display area of the second image. Alternatively, the display position of the second image may be changed.

  This facilitates the alignment of the first position and the second position.

  In a preferred embodiment, there may be further provided means for adjusting the display magnification of the subject of the tomographic image and the functional image so as to match when displayed on the display device.

  Thereby, even when the magnifications of the original images are different, the images can be overlapped with each other.

  In a preferred embodiment, the tomographic image may be a CT image or an MRI image.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second image may be a functional image based on physiological function or metabolic information of the subject obtained by photographing the subject from the front and back. Furthermore, the functional image may be an RI image.

  Hereinafter, an image diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image diagnosis support apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the diagnostic imaging support apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, an imaging diagnostic support apparatus main body 10 is connected to an input device 7 such as a pointing device and a keyboard, a display device 8 such as a liquid crystal display, and a printer 9. The diagnostic imaging support apparatus 1 displays a tomographic image showing the form of the subject obtained by tomography and a functional image showing the biological function of the subject superimposed on the display device 8 to help diagnosis of the subject. Is.

  The image diagnosis support apparatus 1 is configured by, for example, a general-purpose computer system, and each component or function in the image diagnosis support apparatus 1 described below is realized by executing a computer program, for example.

  The diagnostic imaging support apparatus body 10 includes a CT image storage unit 11, a SPECT image storage unit 12, a CT readout unit 13, a SPECT readout unit 14, buffers 15 and 16, a display processing unit 17, and UI screen data. And a screen data storage unit 18 for storage.

  The CT image storage unit 11 stores image data of CT images taken using X-ray CT. For example, the CT image storage unit 11 stores a CT image file including a plurality of tomographic images obtained by tomographic imaging of a subject in a predetermined direction. The CT image file can be stored in the CT image storage unit 11 in any format. For example, each tomographic image may be stored in the CT image storage unit 11 in a 512 × 512 pixel DICOM format.

  In the present embodiment, a tomographic image by X-ray CT is used, but other tomographic images such as a tomographic image by MRI can also be used.

  The SPECT image storage unit 12 stores image data of a SPECT image. The SPECT image of the present embodiment includes an Ant image obtained by capturing γ rays from the subject's front (Anterior) and a Post image obtained from the subject's back (Posterior). Each of the Ant image and the Post image is a whole body image of the subject and is also called a WB (Whole Body) image. The SPECT image is a functional image reflecting a biological function based on the subject's metabolic information, unlike a CT tomographic image that reveals the form of an organ or the like. The SPECT image file stored in the SPECT image storage unit 12 can take any format. For example, a multi-image file in which an Ant image and a Post image are connected may be used, or an Ant image and a Post image may be independent image files.

  In this embodiment, a functional image by SPECT is used, but a functional image by PET can also be used.

  The CT readout unit 13 reads out the CT image file designated by the user from the CT image storage unit 11 and stores it in the buffer 15. Furthermore, when the image size does not match the number of pixels in the CT image display area 110 (see FIG. 2; hereinafter the same) described later, a predetermined area corresponding to the display area 110 is automatically selected and the buffer 15 Alternatively, it may be stored in the buffer 15, or may be selected by the user using a screen 200 described later and stored in the buffer 15.

  The SPECT reading unit 14 reads the SPECT image file designated by the user from the SPECT image storage unit 12 and stores the SPECT image file in the buffer 16. At that time, as described later, the magnification of the SPECT image is converted in accordance with the resolution of the read image.

  The display processing unit 17 displays a tomographic image in the CT display area 110 based on the CT image data stored in the buffer 15. In the present embodiment, one pixel of the CT image is displayed in correspondence with one pixel of the CT display area 110.

  Further, the display processing unit 17 displays an Ant image or a Post image in the SPECT display area 120 (see FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) based on the SPECT image data stored in the buffer 16. In the present embodiment, a SPECT image whose magnification has been adjusted so that the magnification when displayed in the SPECT display area 120 matches the CT image is acquired from the buffer 16 and displayed in the SPECT display area 120.

  The display processing unit 17 also displays a superimposed image obtained by superimposing the tomographic image displayed in the CT display area 110 and the Ant image or the Post image displayed in the SPECT display area 120 on the superimposed display area 130 (FIG. 2). Display).

  The screen data storage unit 18 stores data for displaying each user interface screen described below. The display processing unit 17 acquires predetermined screen data from the screen data storage unit 18 in accordance with a user input operation, and displays each user interface screen described below on the display device 8.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen of CT images, MRI images and superimposed images displayed on the display device 8.

  The image display screen 100 includes a CT tomographic image display area 110, a SPECT Ant image or Post image display area 120, and a tomographic image and an Ant image or Post image superimposed display area 130. . Further, the image display screen 100 includes a CT image read button 111 and a SPECT image (WB image) read button 121.

  Each of the display areas 110, 120, and 130 has a display area of 256 pixels wide × 512 pixels high.

  The image display screen 100 further includes slide bars 112 and 135, check boxes 113 and 134, an Ant / Post selection button 122, a cursor movement button 123, a draw button 132, an output button 133, and the like. And when these receive operation by a user, a predetermined image can be displayed on the display area 110,120,130. Hereinafter, a process executed by the image diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to an operation received by the image display screen 100 will be described.

  First, when the CT image read button 111 is pressed, a file selection screen (not shown) or the like is displayed. As a result, the user selects one CT image file stored in the CT image storage unit 11.

  When the CT image file is selected, the CT reading unit 13 reads the selected CT image file from the CT image storage unit 11 and stores it in the buffer 15.

  At this time, if the image size of each tomographic image (original image) included in the CT image file is 256 pixels wide × 512 pixels high, it is stored in the buffer 15 as it is. On the other hand, when the image size is larger than 256 horizontal pixels × 512 vertical pixels, the CT readout unit 13 selects an area of 256 horizontal pixels × 512 vertical pixels from the original image. In this area selection, for example, the CT reading unit 13 may automatically extract an area of 256 × 512 pixels in the center of the original image, or an area designated by the user as described below. You may make it extract.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an area designation screen 200 for the user to designate an area of the CT image.

  The area designation screen 200 displays one tomographic image (original image) 210 of the CT image files read from the CT image storage unit 11. Here, which tomographic image of the plurality of tomographic images is displayed can be selected by the user operating the slide bar 250 using the input device 7.

  On the original image 210, a selection frame 220 for selecting an area of 256 × 512 pixels is displayed. The selection frame 220 can be moved by the user operating the input device 7. Therefore, the user moves the selection frame 220 to select an area. When the OK button 230 is pressed, the area selected in the selection frame 220 is confirmed.

  At this time, since the size of the selection frame 220 is determined in advance, the selected region can be specified by the position of the reference point A on the selection frame 220. Accordingly, the image data of the selected area determined by the reference point A of each tomographic image data included in the CT image file is stored in the buffer 15.

  The description will be continued with reference to FIG.

  When the SPECT image read button 121 is pressed, a predetermined file selection screen or the like is displayed as in the case of the CT image, and the user selects one SPECT image file stored in the SPECT image storage unit 12.

  When the SPECT image file is selected, the SPECT reading unit 14 reads the selected file from the SPECT image storage unit 12, performs magnification adjustment and interpolation described below, and stores them in the buffer 16. At this time, if the Ant image and Post image files are independent, the selection of each file may be accepted and read from the SPECT image storage unit 12, or only one of the designations may be accepted and read. But you can.

  The SPECT reading unit 14 uses the resolution of the CT image as a reference so that when the Ant image and the Post image are displayed in the SPECT display area 120, the SPECT reading unit 14 has the same magnification as the CT image displayed in the CT display area 110. Adjust the image magnification.

First, the enlargement ratio of the SPECT image with respect to the CT image is determined based on the resolution of the CT image and the resolution of the SPECT image. That is, when the resolution of the CT image is p1 and the resolution of the SPECT image is p2, the enlargement ratio W is as follows.
W = p2 / p1
Here, since the SPECT display area 120 is 256 × 512 pixels in the horizontal direction, the number of pixels to be selected from the SPECT image is (256 / W) pixels in the horizontal direction and (512 / W) pixels in the vertical direction. Become. Therefore, the SPECT reading unit 14 may automatically cut out the area having the number of pixels from the selected SPECT image file, or may cause the user to select the area in the same manner as the selection screen in FIG.

  Furthermore, when the number of horizontal pixels is less than 256 and the number of vertical pixels is less than 512, the SPECT reading unit 14 performs interpolation processing by a predetermined method so that the number of pixels becomes 256 pixels and 512 pixels, respectively.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the selected image is displayed in the CT display area 110 and the SPECT display area 120 by the above processing.

  Here, as in the case of FIG. 3, the slide bar 112 is used for the user to select a tomographic image to be displayed in the CT display area 110 from a plurality of tomographic images. The Ant / Post selection button 122 accepts selection of whether to display an Ant image or a Post image in the SPECT display area 120. Therefore, by operating the slide bar 112 and the Ant / Post selection button 122, the user can select an optimal combination of a CT image and a SPECT image for generating a superimposed image described below.

  Here, before generating a superimposed image, as will be described below, the user operates the input device 7 to align the lesion site.

  First, when a check box 113 for cursor selection is checked, line cursors 115 and 116 are displayed in the CT display area 110, and line cursors 125 and 126 are displayed in the SPECT display area 120. Here, the line cursors 115 and 125 are horizontal lines, and the line cursors 116 and 126 are vertical lines.

  The user can move the line cursors 115 and 116 in the CT display area 110 using the input device 7. When the line cursors 115 and 116 move, the line cursors 125 and 126 in the SPECT display area 120 move in conjunction with each other. Thereby, each intersection 115A, 125A of a horizontal line and a vertical line can be moved.

  Here, when the user moves the intersection 115A so as to coincide with the lesion part of the CT image displayed in the CT display area 110, the lesion part of the SPECT image in the SPECT display area 120 coincides with the intersection 125A. If not, you can make further modifications to make them consistent:

  That is, the user inputs a single operation on the input device 7 (for example, one click of the right button if the input device 7 is a mouse) so as to specify a lesion site in the SPECT image of the SPECT display area 120. The display processing unit 17 moves the SPECT image so that the position specified by this input coincides with the intersection 125A. Here, when further fine adjustment is necessary, the intersection 125A can be moved up, down, left and right by the number of pixels displayed at the center thereof by the cursor movement button 123.

  Accordingly, the user performs alignment by matching the lesion site on the CT image with the intersection 115A and the lesion site on the SPECT image with the intersection 125A.

  When the draw button 132 is pressed after the alignment is performed, the CT image and the SPECT image displayed in the CT display area 110 and the SPECT display area 120 are superimposed so that the intersection point 115A and the intersection point 125A coincide with each other. The superimposed image is displayed in the superimposed display area 130.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the superimposed image is displayed in the superimposed display area 130.

  Even in this state, the user can move the line cursors 115 and 125 by a predetermined operation. When the draw button 132 is pressed again after the line cursors 115 and 125 are moved, the intersections 115A and 125A are displayed in the superimposed display area 130 so that the intersection points 115A and 125A coincide with each other after the line cursors 115 and 125 are moved. The superimposed image being corrected is corrected.

  Further, in FIG. 5, if the line cursors 115 and 125 are moved in a state where the dynamic display check box 134 is checked, the line cursors 115 and 125 can be moved even if the draw button 132 is not pressed as described above. Is immediately reflected, and the image of the superimposed display area 130 is updated.

  Further, the enhancement level of the CT image and SPECT image can be adjusted by the slide bar 135. That is, the CT image is emphasized when shifted to the right of the slide bar 135, and the SPECT image is emphasized when shifted to the left.

  When the output button 133 is pressed while the superimposed image is displayed in the superimposed display area 130, each of the CT display area 110, the SPECT display area 120, and the superimposed display area 130 displayed according to the user's selection. The image is printed by the printer 9 or stored in the superimposed image storage unit 19 in a file format such as JPEG.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an image having both information possessed by a morphological image such as a CT image and information possessed by a functional image such as a SPECT image. By providing this image to a doctor, it can be expected to improve the accuracy of image diagnosis.

  Furthermore, when the doctor himself / herself operates the diagnostic imaging support apparatus according to the present embodiment, the doctor can specify a lesion site in the CT image and the SPECT image, and a superimposed image can be generated based on this. As a result, accurate diagnosis based on the knowledge and experience of the doctor can be performed.

  The above-described embodiments of the present invention are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, a CT image that is one of three-dimensional tomographic images and a SPECT image that is a two-dimensional tomographic image are superimposed and displayed, but the present invention is captured by other imaging means. It can also be applied to a combination of images. That is, a CT image that is a combination of one of the three-dimensional tomographic images and the two-dimensional tomographic image, an RI image other than SPECT, an MRI image and an RI image (including SPECT), and one of the three-dimensional tomographic images. A combination of a CT image and an MRI image, a CT image and a merged SPECT image, and an MRI image and a merged SPECT image, which are combinations of sheets, can also be applied.

1 shows a functional configuration of an image diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an image display screen is shown. An example of an area designation screen is shown. An example of an image display screen on which a CT image and a SPECT image are displayed is shown. An example of the image display screen on which the superimposed image is displayed is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image diagnosis assistance apparatus 10 Image diagnosis assistance apparatus main body 11 CT image memory | storage part 12 SPECT image memory | storage part 13 CT reading part 14 SPECT reading part 15, 16 Buffer 17 Display processing part 18 Screen data memory | storage part 19 Superimposed image memory | storage part 100 Image display Screen 110 CT display area 120 SPECT display area 130 Superimposed display area

Claims (8)

Means for reading tomographic image data including a plurality of first tomographic images obtained by tomographic imaging of the subject with the first imaging means;
Means for reading image data of a second image obtained by photographing the subject with a second imaging means;
Selecting means for selecting one first tomographic image from the plurality of first tomographic images;
First display means for displaying the selected first tomographic image and the second image side by side on a display device;
Receiving means for receiving selection of a first position on the first tomographic image and a second position on the second image;
Second display means for causing the display device to display the first tomographic image and the second image so that the selected first position coincides with the second position. A diagnostic imaging support apparatus.   When the means for accepting the selection accepts the selection of the second position by a single input operation to a predetermined input device after the first position is selected, the first display means Of the first tomographic image or the second image such that the first position in the tomographic image display area and the second position in the second image display area are the same position. The image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display position is changed.   The image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the display magnification of the subject of the tomographic image and the functional image so as to match when displayed on the display device.   The image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first tomographic image is a CT image or an MRI image.   The image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is a functional image based on physiological function or metabolic information of the subject taken from the front and back of the subject.   The image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second image is an RI image. Reading tomographic image data including a plurality of first tomographic images obtained by tomographic imaging of the subject with the first imaging means;
Reading image data of a second image obtained by photographing the subject with a second imaging means;
Selecting a first tomographic image from the plurality of first tomographic images;
Displaying the selected first tomographic image and the second image side by side on a display device;
Receiving a selection of a first position on the first tomographic image and a second position on the second image;
An image display method comprising: displaying the first tomographic image and the second image on the display device so that the selected first position and the second position coincide with each other. . When executed on a computer,
Reading tomographic image data including a plurality of first tomographic images obtained by tomographic imaging of the subject with the first imaging means;
Reading image data of a second image obtained by photographing the subject with a second imaging means;
Selecting a first tomographic image from the plurality of first tomographic images;
Displaying the selected first tomographic image and the second image side by side on a display device;
Receiving a selection of a first position on the first tomographic image and a second position on the second image;
And displaying the first tomographic image and the second image on the display device so that the selected first position and the second position coincide with each other. Computer program for.

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