Image preprocessing for a picture archiving and communication system.

OBJECTIVES AND RATIONALE

In a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), images are acquired from multiple modalities and displayed on an electronic workstation. Each modality has different image characteristics. This variability must be addressed before the image is displayed.

METHODS

The authors developed methods to automatically process magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomographic (CT), and computed radiography (CR) images before display and subjectively evaluated their effectiveness.

RESULTS

Unwanted background successfully was automatically removed from 89.5% of 615 CR images. Of 803 chest, abdomen, and hand images 93% were automatically rotated to the correct orientation.

CONCLUSIONS

Automated preprocessing of PACS images can be performed successfully, improving speed and convenience for the radiologist interpreting images at an electronic workstation.