Computer-aided diagnostics

The computer can be used in a number of ways to aid the physician to interpret CT lung images. Commercial tools are becoming available to assist the radiologist in growth rate determination, hence cancer diagnosis. Computer algorithms are in development that will permit lung health evaluation, including nodule detection. Finally, the results of such efforts will probably produce more detailed visualizations of the lung region, including depictions of the location and state of lung abnormalities. While computer methods have found a first application with the radiologist, these methods should also provide a valuable aid to surgery and pathology.