Neural networks in radiologic diagnosis. I. Introduction and illustration.

Artificial neural networks (NNs) process information in a manner similar to the way the human brain is thought to process information. Neural networks have potential application in radiology as an artificial intelligence technique that can provide computer-aided diagnostic assistance for the practicing radiologist. The basic characteristics of NNs and the manner in which information propagates through an NN are discussed in nontechnical language, to assist the diagnostic radiologist in understanding the basic principles of neurocomputing. Computer-aided diagnosis selection in pediatric chest radiography using NNs is discussed in a companion article.