Image Viewing Station for MR and SPECT: Using Personal Computer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Macro language was programmed to analyze and process on Macintosh personal computers GE MR imagesdigitally transferred from the MR main computer, with special interest in the interpretation of information such as patients data and imaging parameters under each image header. By this method, raw data(files) of certain patients may be digitally stored on a hard disk or CD ROM, and the quantitative analysis, interpretation anddisplay is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients and images were randomly selected. 4.X MR images were transferred through FTP using the ethernet network. 5.X and SPECT images were transferred using floppy diskets. Toprocess transferred images, an freely distributed software for Macintosh namely NIH Image, with its macrolanguage, was used to import images and translate header information. To identify necessary information, aseparate window named "Info-txt", was made for each image series. MacLC, Centris650, and PowerMac 6100/CD,7100/CD, 8100/CD models with 256 color and RAM over 8 Mbyte were used. RESULTS: Different versions of MR images and SPECT images were displayed simultaneously and a separate window named "Info-txt" was used to show all necessary information(name of the patient, unit number, date, TR, TE, FOV etc.). Additional information(diagnosis,pathologic report etc.) was stored in another text box in "Info-txt". The size of the file for each image planewas about 149 Kbytes and the images were stored in a step-like file folders. CONCLUSION: 4.X and 5.X GE Signa 1.5T images were successfully processed with Macintosh computer and NIH Image. This result may be applied to manyfields and there is hope of a broader area of application with the linkage of NIH Image and a database program.