Query by pictionary: an alternative to medical image retrieval

This paper focuses on the visual interface for image retrieval from radiology image database and describes a Radiologic Pictionary. A Radiologic Pictionary is a picture-based controlled vocabulary that allows visual query formulation by providing the user with images (samplers) that are linked to the hierarchical index of radiological findings and mapped into image data within the database. Samplers selected during query formulation point to image records that share their characteristics; all matching images are returned to the user.