Distributed system and method for displaying and editing medically relevant data objects

A data processing system for processing medically relevant data objects including at least one of image data and metadata, comprising:

• first electronic data processing means for viewing and editing the data objects, the first electronic data processing means including,
• storage means for storing the data objects, and
• first interfacing means for outputting data objects;
• and
• a second electronic data processing means for presenting data from data objects in medically relevant reports using report masks, the second electronic data processing means including,
• memory means for storing the report masks, and
• second interfacing means for receiving the data objects, wherein the first data processing means uses firmly prescribed data formats, unalterable by a user, to store, view and edit the data objects, wherein the second data processing means uses report masks, generatable and alterable by the user to present data from data objects, even without knowledge of the syntax of the data objects, and wherein the interfacing means of the first and second data processing means are connectable to one another for transfer of data objects from the first data processing means to the second data processing means.