Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and image processing program

An image processing method for displaying pseudo three dimensional medical images, which are generated by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of medical images, which are obtained in advance, that represent transverse cross sections of a subject, comprising the steps of:

• setting division lines within each of the plurality of medical images that divide subject regions that represent the subject in the front to back direction to display the subject regions separately, such that thoracic bones in the front to back direction of the projection direction of the subject are not displayed in an overlapping manner within the displayed pseudo three dimensional image;
• generating a first pseudo three dimensional medical image by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of sets of image data that represent subject regions which are present toward first sides of the plurality of images which are divided by the division lines, and for generating a second pseudo three dimensional medical image by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of sets of image data that represent subject regions which are present toward second sides of the plurality of images which are divided by the division lines;
• and
• displaying at least one of the first pseudo three dimensional medical image and the second pseudo three dimensional medical image.

A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon an image processing program for displaying pseudo three dimensional medical images, which are generated by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of medical images, which are obtained in advance, that represent transverse cross sections of a subject, that causes a computer to execute the procedures of:

• setting division lines within each of the plurality of medical images that divide subject regions that represent the subject in the front to back direction to display the subject regions separately, such that thoracic bones in the front to back direction of the projection direction of the subject are not displayed in an overlapping manner within the displayed pseudo three dimensional image;
• generating a first pseudo three dimensional medical image by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of sets of image data that represent subject regions which are present toward first sides of the plurality of images which are divided by the division lines, and for generating a second pseudo three dimensional medical image by executing an intensity projection method based on a plurality of sets of image data that represent subject regions which are present toward second sides of the plurality of images which are divided by the division lines;
• and
• displaying at least one of the first pseudo three dimensional medical image and the second pseudo three dimensional medical image.