Computer Aids for Decision-Making in Radiology

Abstract

This paper describes two prototype applications built using the workstation, one in mammography and the other using X-ray CT images in the management of neuroblastoma. 1. GENERIC ARCHITECTURE The central element of the radiology workstation is a decision procedure based on a model of decision-making and implemented as a logic program. The model consists of a set of logical rules for constructing arguments for and against candidate solutions. Originally developed by Fox and co-workers [4], the model has been successfully used in prototypes of clinical tools [5] and found to be applicable to a wide range of clinical decisions, providing a readily understood mechanism for selecting and presenting information which is relevant to a specific decision. We have applied the model to diagnostic radiology, extending it to include a set of rules which embody a model of radiological image interpretation. Fox's original decision procedure was used to reason about alternative decision options ("candidates ") by constructing lines of reasoning for and against each of the candidates ("arguments"). Arguments are constructed by applying information in a general medical knowledge base to the contents of an individual patient record. Our extended procedure allows evidence obtained from operations on digital images to be incorporated