Interactive quantitative analysis of medical images on a PC- or workstation-based system

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Analysis
• Computational Anatomy
• Radiology Informatics

Background:

• Clinical medicine studies require quantitative analysis of digital computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cross-sectional images.
• Performing image analysis on stand-alone graphic workstations is often a critical requirement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on a versatile image analysis software package.
• To highlight its compatibility with diverse hardware, including low-cost personal computers and high-end UNIX workstations.
• To detail its utility in clinical research, especially in orthopaedic studies.

Main Methods:

• Development of a software package with essential display and analysis functions.
• Implementation of features such as split-screen viewing, zooming capabilities.
• Inclusion of quantitative examination tools for pixels, density profiles, and regions of interest.

Main Results:

• The software package demonstrates versatility by running on multiple personal computer platforms and UNIX workstations.
• It provides fundamental image analysis functionalities necessary for clinical research.
• Successful application in various studies, with a notable emphasis on orthopaedic research.

Conclusions:

• The developed software offers a flexible and accessible solution for quantitative image analysis in clinical medicine.
• Its broad hardware compatibility enhances its applicability across different research settings.
• The software has proven effective in supporting diverse research endeavors, particularly in orthopaedics.