Eye movements can control localized image enhancement and analysis

The eye movements of a reader during interpretation of digital chest radiographs can provide valuable information for lesion detection. Measures of eye movements (e.g., the locations and durations of gaze dwells) are associated with detection accuracy. During image interpretation, the reader's eye movements are tracked unobtrusively with a video camera mounted below the monitor displaying the images. The eye movement information is used to identify regions of prolonged dwell, which are associated with false-positive detection of pulmonary nodules. Based on the locations of the dwell regions, a small, circular region of interest is created within the image. Real-time digital processing can then be performed within this region of interest. Such processing can be performed as the reader is looking at the image or after the image has been interpreted. Readers' eye movements can be used to direct localized image enhancement and analysis during interpretation of digital chest radiographs.