Computer-aided diagnosis method and system

A method comprising the steps of:

• generating a digital mammogram;
• processing the digital mammogram by computer to identify suspected spiculated lesion and microcalcification cluster type abnormalities by type and location;
• producing an annotated digital map comprising symbols identifying the type and location of the abnormalities identified in the processing step;
• printing the digital mammogram and the annotated digital map on a laser film printer to produce a film mammogram with said annotated map at a marginal area thereof;
• and
• displaying the film mammogram, including said marginal area thereof, on a light box for viewing.

A method comprising the steps of:

• producing a low contrast, wide latitude film mammogram using a mammographic intensifying screen cassette;
• converting the low contrast, wide latitude film mammogram to a digital mammogram;
• processing the digital mammogram by computer to identify suspected spiculated lesion and microcalcification cluster type abnormalities by type and location;
• producing an annotated digital map comprising symbols identifying the type and location of the abnormalities identified in the processing step;
• printing the digital mammogram and the annotated digital map on a laser film printer to produce a viewing film mammogram with said annotated map at a marginal area thereof;
• and
• displaying the viewing film mammogram, including said marginal area thereof, on a light box for viewing.

A system comprising:

• a source of a film mammogram;
• a film reader/digitizer converting the film mammogram to a digital mammogram;
• a programmed computer processing the digital mammogram to identify suspected spiculated lesion and microcalcification cluster type abnormalities by type and location and to produce an annotated digital map comprising symbols identifying the type and location of the abnormalities;
• a light box displaying the film mammogram for viewing;
• and
• an electronic monitor coupled to said programmed computer to concurrently display the annotated digital map for viewing adjacent to and substantially at the same viewing distance as the film mammogram.

A system comprising:

• a digital mammography unit generating a digital mammogram;
• a programmed computer processing the digital mammogram to identify suspected spiculated lesion and microcalcification cluster type abnormalities by type and location and to produce an annotated digital map comprising symbols identifying the type and location of the abnormalities;
• a printer coupled to the digital computer to print the digital mammogram and the annotated digital map so as to produce a film mammogram with said annotated map at a marginal area thereof;
• and
• a light box displaying the film mammogram, including said marginal area thereof, for viewing.

A system comprising:

• an intensifying screen cassette mammography unit producing a low contrast, wide latitude film mammogram;
• a film reader/digitizer converting the low contrast, wide latitude film mammogram to a digital mammogram;
• a computer processing the digital mammogram to identify suspected spiculated lesion and microcalcification cluster type abnormalities by type and location and to produce an annotated digital map comprising symbols identifying the type and location of the abnormalities;
• a printer coupled to said computer to print the digital mammogram and the annotated digital map to produce a viewing film mammogram with said annotated map at a marginal area thereof;
• and
• a light box displaying the viewing film mammogram, including said marginal area thereof, for viewing.