8.

MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAYING,

VISUALIZATION, AND REPRESENTATION
8.1 IMAGE DISPLAYING

 A digital image can either be printed on film or paper as a hard

copy or be displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) video monitor
or a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a soft copy. The latter is
volatile, because the image disappears once the display device
is turned off. To display a soft-copy digital radiological image,
the pixel values are first converted to analog signals compatible
with conventional video signals used in the television industry.
This procedure is called digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion.
Soft-copy display can handle image sizes from 256,512. 1024, to
2048,18-19/30
 Image Displaying
• A diagnostic display is a monitor that meets the high demands of medical
imaging in radiology and mammography. It is used by radiologists to view
diagnostic images, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and more.

• A digital image can either be printed on film or paper as a hard

copy or be displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) video monitor or a liquid
crystaldisplay (LCD) as a soft copy.
 Image quality-Is a measure of the performance of an imaging
system used for a specific radiological examination. Although
the process of making a diagnosis from a radiological image is
often subjective, a higher-quality image does provide better
diagnostic information
 8.2 DISPLAY WORKSTATIONS AND OTHER
TOOLS
DISPLAY WORKSTATION
 A display workstation is any
computer that a health care worker
uses to view a digital image
 The display workstation has PACS
application software that allows the
user
 to perform minor image-
manipulation techniques to optimize
the image being viewed.
 Display Workstation

• Radiologists use primary diagnostic display workstations to view

and interpret images for patient diagnosis.
• Workstation includes communication network hardware and
software, a local database, a display monitor system, resource
management, and processing software.
 Four types of display workstations
categorized by their resolutions
• High-resolution (2.5 × 2 K) liquid crystal display (LCD) for primary
diagnosis at the radiology department
• Medium-resolution (2000 × 1600 or 1600 × 1K) LCD for primary
diagnosis of sectional images and at the hospital wards
• Physician desktop workstation (1K × 768) LCD
• Hard copy workstations for printing images on film or paper.
 Major function of PACS Display
Workstation
• Case Preparation
• Case Selection
• Image arrangement or hanging protocols
• Interpretation
• Documentation
• Case Presentation
• Image Reconstruction
 8.2 DISPLAY WORKSTATIONS AND OTHER
TOOLS

 Early in the history of PACS, radiologists believed that they needed

four to six monitors to match the viewing capability they had with
the lightboxes
8.2 DISPLAY WORKSTATIONS AND OTHER
TOOLS
 Now, radiologists have become more comfortable
viewing images on monitors, the number of monitors
required by the radiologists has decreased to an
average of two
 8.2 DISPLAY WORKSTATIONS AND OTHER
TOOLS
Monitors
-most important elements
Types:
The cathode ray tube (CRT)
The liquid crystal display (LCD)

The cathode ray tube The liquid crystal display

(CRT) (LCD)
•Heavy • less maintenance
•Puts off a lot of heat • inexpensive and risen
•Really bright quality
•Can view any angle •Gives more light
 8.2 DISPLAY WORKSTATIONS AND OTHER
TOOLS
Display stations can be categorized by
their primary use, such as
• Reading stations for radiologists
• Review stations for referring
physicians,
• Technologist QC station,
• For technologist review of images,
• Image management station for the
file room personnel.
8.3 2D and 3D algorithms
 AI being developed has successfully been able to recreate various 3D images from a
singular static 2D picture.
 Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) (Figure 8-32): One of the most commonly used three-
dimensional (3D) rendering techniques. When doing a CT scan of a patient, thin axial slices
can be acquired of a volume of tissue. The slices can then be loaded into the MPR
software, and a reconstruction in another plane can be produced. The most common
application is producing coronal images from the axial set to reduce radiation to the
patient and scan time at the modality.
 2D and 3D Displaying Algorithms

• 2D objects that are rendered visually on paper, film or on screen in two

planes representing width and height (X and Y).
• In 3D diagnostic imaging, a series of anatomical data is gathered using
certain technological equipment, processed by a computer and later
showed on a 2D monitor to present the illusion of deepness.
8.4 3D VOLUME RENDERING AND RAY
TRACING
Volume rendering
 Volume rendering represents a collection of methods used in
computer graphics and scientific visualization to create a 2D
projection from a discretely sampled 3D data set. An example
of a 3D data set is a collection of MRI, CT, or MicroCT scanner
2D slice images. For instance, a series of 2D slice images of a
human brain can be assembled to render 3D volume rendered
images using a volume rendering algorithm.
 Volume rendering is primarily done for better visualization of
human anatomy, surgical treatment planning as well as in
medical teaching
3D Volume Rendering and Ray-tracing

• Ray tracing is important for creating photorealism and affects how light is
simulated in various applications.
• A special hardware technique that allows users to generate interactive
view-orthogonal slices.
 One of the great advantages of 3DVR is that
it can provide all the necessary information
in a single radiologic study in cases that
previously required two or more studies
because it provides a better view of the
anatomy
Ray tracing
 is a rendering technique that uses the behavior of light to
generate extremely realistic, detailed images. Ray tracing
software works by simulating a ray projected through a 3-D
scene. It then calculates how the ray and the light source
intersect with the objects in the scene. This results in
renderings that present real-world 3-D volume data with photo-
realistic accuracy – a breakthrough for imaging professionals
whose work leaves little room for error.
8.5 Virtual Reality Technology

 Virtual Reality (VR) is an innovative technology that

provides a clear virtual image of a patient. We see the
vast potential of VR to provide a positive impact in
radiology.
 Virtual reality has enhanced the capability to provide
digital images for intervention guidance, medical training,
and teaching. With this technology's help, a radiologist can
solve some complex problems by appropriately analysing a
diseased body part or complete body in a 3D image.
 This technology allows radiologists to view the scan of
tissue, organs, vessels, and other abnormalities in 3D
format. It provides a deeper understanding of human
anatomy. 3D virtual imaging transform imaging datasets
and has wide applications in diagnostic radiology. It
displays virtual images that behave like a hologram.
Doctors can view the images from any angle as a real-
world scene.
 Virtual Reality Technology
• Virtual reality is the use of computer technology to create simulated
environments.
• It took places the user inside a three-dimensional experience. Instead of
viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed in and interact with
3D worlds.