Visual interaction in diagnostic radiology

Abstract

The concept of visual interaction is introduced as the process which links perception and problem solving such that problem solving is affected by what is seen, and conversely, what is seen and perceived is affected by the current state of the problem-solving process. The development of a cognitively based model of the visual interaction process in diagnostic radiology is described. It is shown how aspects of this model are being incorporated into the design and implementation of an intelligent computer-based radiological assistant. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to extract information about the nature and type of knowledge involved in this process, and then to determine how that knowledge is used to accomplish the task of radiological diagnosis. This work may provide new directions for clinically useful interactive radiological systems. It is also seen as a useful radiological teaching tool, providing hands-on experience with a clinical aid, and further, it may prove to be effective tool for studying the radiological process.