Computer aids for decision-making in diagnostic radiology—a literature review

This review looks at a variety of different ways in which computers can be used to assist in the interpretation of radiological images and in radiological decision-making. The issues involved in the design of computerized decision aids are introduced and four criteria proposed for evaluating such aids: need, practicality, veracity and relevance. These criteria are used to assess research into decision aids based on: image databases, numerical methods, expert systems, image processing and image understanding systems. Possible directions for research leading to aids of practical value are discussed in the conclusion.