[Value of automated medical indexing of an image database and a digital radiological library]

We indexed the contents of a radiology server on the web to facilitate access to research documents and to link reference texts to images contained in radiology databases. Indexation also allows case reports to be transformed with no supplementary work into formats compatible with computer-assisted training. Indexation was performed automatically by ADM-Index, the aim being to identify the medical concepts expressed within each medical text. Two types of texts were indexed: medical imaging reference books (Edicerf) and case reports with illustrations and captions (Iconocerf). These documents are now available on a web server with HTML format for Edicerf and on an Oracle database for Iconocerf. When the user consults a chapter of a book or a case report, the indexed terms are displayed in the heading; all reference texts and case reports containing the indexed terms can then be called up instantaneously. The user can express his search in natural language. Indexation follows the same process allowing instantaneous recall of all reference texts and case reports where the same concept appears in the diagnosis or clinical context. By using the context of the case reports as the search index, all case reports involving a common medical concept can be found. The context is interpreted as a question. When the user responds to this question, ADM-Index compares this response with the answer furnished by the reference texts and case reports. Correct or erroneous responses can thus be identified, converting the system into a computer-assisted training tool.