Interpretation support apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

A support program is a program for supporting creation of an interpretation report including a medical image obtained by examining a patient and a region of interest to focus on in the medical image. The support program causes a computer to function as: a reading unit that reads a plurality of interpretation reports created by a plurality of examinations on the same part of the same patient; a difference detection unit that sets one of the plurality of interpretation reports as a detection target interpretation report and sets the others as comparison target interpretation reports, compares regions of interest of the detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation reports, and detects a region of interest, which is present in the comparison target interpretation reports but is not present in the detection target interpretation report, as a difference region; and a notification screen distribution unit that, in a case where the difference region is detected, notifies that the difference region has been detected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-061540 filed on 28 Mar. 2018. The above application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interpretation support apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In medical facilities, a radiologist interprets a medical image obtained by examining a patient and creates an interpretation report, and a treatment department doctor or a clinician determines a treatment policy based on the created interpretation report and performs actual treatment, which are widely performed acts. The interpretation report includes not only a medical image but also various kinds of information, such as a region of interest to focus on in the medical image and findings on the region of interest.

JP2004-180932A (corresponding to US2006/050943A1) and JP5958534B (corresponding to US2015/072371A1) disclose techniques for setting a region of interest for a medical image acquired by the current examination or creating findings on a region of interest with reference to information such as medical images, regions of interest, and findings stored in a database (hereinafter, abbreviated as a DB), that is, a technique for mechanically creating an interpretation report.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the method of mechanically creating an interpretation report as in JP2004-180932A and JP5958534B described above has low reliability, which is far from the reliability of the interpretation report created by the radiologist. As described above, the reliability of the interpretation report created by the radiologist is higher than the reliability of the mechanically created interpretation report. However, since the contents of the interpretation report are also a serious matter that may be relevant to the life of the patient, further improvement of the interpretation technique is required.

The invention has been made in view of the above background, and it is an object of the invention to provide an interpretation support apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable medium capable of contributing to the improvement of the interpretation technique.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the interpretation support apparatus of the invention is an interpretation support apparatus that supports creation of an interpretation report including a medical image obtained by examining a patient, a region of interest to focus on in the medical image, and findings on the region of interest. The interpretation support apparatus comprises: a reading unit that reads a plurality of interpretation reports created by a plurality of examinations on the same part of the same patient; a detection unit that sets one of the plurality of interpretation reports as a detection target interpretation report and sets the others as comparison target interpretation reports to be used for comparison with the detection target interpretation report, compares regions of interest of the detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation reports, and detects a region of interest, which is present in the comparison target interpretation reports but is not present in the detection target interpretation report, as a difference region; and a notification unit that, in a case where the difference region is detected by the detection unit, notifies that the difference region has been detected.

In a case where the difference region is not present, for a common region of interest that is a region of interest common to both the detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation reports, the detection unit may compare findings of the detection target interpretation report and findings of the comparison target interpretation reports regarding the common region of interest with each other and detect, as difference findings, findings not matching the findings of the comparison target interpretation reports in the findings of the detection target interpretation report. In a case where the difference findings are detected by the detection unit, the notification unit may notify that the difference findings have been detected.

The interpretation support apparatus of the invention may further comprise a storage unit that stores a correspondence table in which terms having the same meaning are associated with each other for terms used in the findings. The detection unit may detect the difference findings by accessing the storage unit to refer to the correspondence table.

In the correspondence table, a plurality of terms indicating each part may be associated with each other for each part of the patient.

The interpretation support apparatus of the invention may further comprise: an image deforming unit that deforms a comparison target medical image, which is a medical image of the comparison target interpretation report, such that a position of each portion matches a position of each portion of a detection target medical image, which is a medical image of the detection target interpretation report; and a display control unit that performs overlay display for displaying a region of interest of a deformed comparison target medical image, which is deformed by the image deforming unit, on a display unit so as to overlap the detection target medical image.

The display control unit may perform the overlay display for the difference region.

The detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation report may be created based on examinations using the same examination apparatus.

The detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation report may be created based on examinations using different examination apparatuses.

One of the detection target interpretation report or the comparison target interpretation report may be created based on an examination using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination apparatus, and the other one of the detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation report may be created based on an examination using a computed tomography (CT) examination apparatus.

The examination may be a head examination, the detection target interpretation report may be created based on an examination using a computed tomography (CT) examination apparatus, and the comparison target interpretation report may be created based on an examination using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination apparatus.

A non-transitory computer readable medium of the invention is for storing a computer-executable program for supporting creation of an interpretation report including a medical image obtained by examining a patient, a region of interest to focus on in the medical image, and findings on the region of interest. The computer-executable program causes the computer to execute: a reading function of reading a plurality of interpretation reports created by a plurality of examinations on the same part of the same patient; a detection function of setting one of the plurality of interpretation reports as a detection target interpretation report and sets the others as comparison target interpretation reports to be used for comparison with the detection target interpretation report, compares regions of interest of the detection target interpretation report and the comparison target interpretation reports, and detects a region of interest, which is present in the comparison target interpretation reports but is not present in the detection target interpretation report, as a difference region; and a notification function of notifying that the difference region has been detected, in a case where the difference region is detected by the detection function.

According to the invention, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the interpretation technique by detecting a region of interest (difference region), which is present in the comparison target interpretation report but is not present in the detection target interpretation report, and providing notification of the fact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

InFIG. 1, a medical information system10is constructed in a medical facility, such as a hospital, and comprises a modality12, a medical image DB server14, a clinical terminal16, an interpretation terminal18, and an interpretation DB server20(interpretation support apparatus). These are connected to each other through a network22, such as a local area network (LAN) constructed in the medical facility.

The modality12is an examination apparatus that acquires a medical image40by imaging a patient36, such as a computed tomography (CT) examination apparatus30, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination apparatus32, and an X-ray examination apparatus34.

The medical image DB server14is a so-called picture archiving and communication system (PACS) server that stores and manages the medical image40obtained by examination (imaging) using the modality12.

The clinical terminal16and the interpretation terminals18are, for example, computers such as personal computers. The clinical terminal16is used in a case where a treatment department doctor (or a clinician)42who determines the treatment policy of the patient36or performs actual treatment creates an electronic medical record, inputs examination reservation information to be described later, and the like. The interpretation terminal18is used in a case where a radiologist44who interprets the medical image40creates a new interpretation report50or verifies the already created interpretation report50.

In addition to the above, the medical information system10comprises a hospital information system (HIS) and a radiology information system (RIS).

The HIS receives various kinds of information relevant to medical practices of the medical facility, such as electronic medical records, accounting information, examination reservation information, and medication prescription information, from each department of the medical facility, such as a treatment department and a radiology department, and stores and manages the various kinds of information.

Patient information is registered in the electronic medical record. The patient information has, for example, items of a patient identification (ID) for identifying each patient36and the name, sex, date of birth, age, height, and weight of the patient36. The examination reservation information is input by the treatment department doctor (or the clinician)42through the clinical terminal16.

The examination reservation information includes not only various examination reservations, such as a blood test and an endoscopic examination, but also an imaging order that is an examination reservation using the modality12. The imaging order is for instructing a user52of the modality12to perform imaging.

The RIS receives the imaging order input through the clinical terminal16, and stores and manages the imaging order.

The imaging order has, for example, items of an order ID for identifying each order, a doctor ID of the treatment department doctor (or the clinician)42who inputs the imaging order, the type of the modality12used in the imaging order, a patient ID of the patient36to be imaged, and an imaging part or direction. The imaging part includes not only rough parts in a case where the human body is roughly divided, such as the head, the chest, and the abdomen, but also parts obtained by subdividing the parts. The direction includes supine, prone, recumbent, and the like.

The RIS transmits the imaging order to the modality12. For example, the user52of the modality12checks the imaging order on the display of the console of the modality12, and acquires the medical image40by performing imaging under the imaging conditions corresponding to the checked imaging order.

The medical image40obtained by imaging is stored in the medical image DB server14together with the patient ID of the patient36to be imaged (subject), the imaging part or direction, the imaging conditions, imaging date and time, the type of the modality12used in the imaging, the ID of the user52in charge of imaging, and the like.

In a case where an interpretation request is included in the imaging order, the RIS transmits to the interpretation terminal18the order of interpretation of the medical image40obtained by imaging. The radiologist44checks the order through the interpretation terminal18, and creates the interpretation report50according to the checked order.

The created interpretation report50is transmitted to the interpretation DB server20and stored therein.

The treatment department doctor (or the clinician)42accesses the interpretation DB server20from the clinical terminal16, and determines the treatment policy of the patient36or performs the treatment with reference to the interpretation report50.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in the interpretation report50, the medical image40and various kinds of information regarding the medical image40are associated with each other. Various kinds of information regarding the medical image40include the type of the modality12used for imaging, the name of the patient36to be imaged, the patient ID, the imaging part or direction, imaging date and time, and the like. In a case where a region to focus on (region of interest)60is present in the medical image40, an indicator62indicating the region of interest60and findings64of the radiologist44regarding the region of interest60are included in the various kinds of information regarding the medical image40(refer toFIG. 2).

FIG. 2shows the interpretation report50(hereinafter, the interpretation report50(MRI)) on the medical image40(hereinafter, the medical image40(MRI)) obtained by imaging the brain of the patient36with the MRI examination apparatus32, andFIG. 3shows the interpretation report50(hereinafter, the interpretation report50(CT)) on the medical image40(hereinafter, the medical image40(CT)) obtained by imaging the same part (brain) of the same patient36(in this example, “Fuji Taro”) as inFIG. 2with the CT examination apparatus30.

The interpretation report50(MRI) and the interpretation report50(CT) are created based on an MRI examination and a CT examination performed, for example, as a result of sudden collapse of the patient36.

Then, in the interpretation report50(MRI), a region having a shadow different from other parts can be checked in the medical image40(MRI). This region is set as the region of interest60and the indicator62is given thereto, and a suspicion of cerebral infarction is pointed out in the findings64for the region of interest60.

On the other hand, in the interpretation report50(CT), a region having a shadow different from other parts is present in the medical image40(CT) as in the medical image40(MRI), but it is difficult to check the region compared with the medical image40(MRI). Accordingly, the region of interest60is not set, and a suspicion of abnormality (cerebral infarction) is not pointed out in the findings64either.

As described above, the advantages of the modality12are different depending on the type. For example, as in the examples shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the MRI examination apparatus32has an advantage that this is suitable for finding a cerebral infarction. The MRI examination apparatus32also has an advantage that there is no radiation exposure.

On the other hand, compared with the MRI examination apparatus32, the CT examination apparatus30has advantages that the examination time is short and accordingly this is suitable for a wide range of examination, but there is also a disadvantage that it is difficult to find a cerebral infarction since the density difference between a lesion portion and a normal portion tends to be poor.

For this reason, the interpretation DB server20has an interpretation support function for improving the interpretation technique of the radiologist44so that, for example, a cerebral infarction can be found from the medical image40(CT) shown inFIG. 3.

Hereinafter, the contents of the interpretation support function and the configuration for realizing the interpretation support function will be described.

InFIG. 4, the interpretation DB server20is a known computer, and comprises a storage device70(storage unit), a memory72, a central processing unit (CPU)74, and a communication unit76. These are connected to each other through a data bus78.

The storage device70is a hard disk drive, which is built into a computer that forms the interpretation DB server20or the like or which is connected to the computer through a cable or a network, or a disk array formed by connecting a plurality of hard disk drives.

The memory72is a work memory for the CPU74to execute processing.

The CPU74performs overall control of each unit of the computer by loading a program stored in the storage device70to the memory72, thereby executing the processing according to the program.

The communication unit76is a network interface to perform transmission control of various kinds of information through the network22.

As shown inFIG. 5, in addition to the interpretation report50described above, a control program such as an operating system, various application programs, and various kinds of data attached to these programs are stored in the storage device70.

Specifically, a support program80(interpretation support program) is stored as an application program, and display data88for displaying support screens82and84(refer toFIGS. 6 and 7), a notification screen86(refer toFIG. 10), and the like an atlas image90(refer toFIG. 8), and a term correspondence table92(correspondence table) (refer toFIG. 9) are stored as data attached to the support program80.

The support program80is an application program for causing a computer forming the interpretation DB server20to function as an interpretation support apparatus having an interpretation support function. The support program80is activated by accessing the interpretation DB server20from the interpretation terminal18and inputting an operation request.

In a case where the support program80is activated, the CPU74of the interpretation DB server20cooperates with the memory72or the like to function as a request receiving unit100, a support screen distribution unit102, and a verification processing unit104.

The request receiving unit100receives various requests input from the interpretation terminal18through the support screens82and84or the like.

The support screen distribution unit102distributes the support screen82shown inFIG. 6to the interpretation terminal18according to the activation of the support program80. The distributed support screen82is displayed on the display of the interpretation terminal18. An interpretation report new creation tag110and a created interpretation report verification tag112are provided on the support screen82. In the interpretation terminal18, the interpretation report new creation tag110or the created interpretation report verification tag112can be selected by an operation such as moving a cursor with a mouse and clicking.

In a case where the interpretation report new creation tag110is selected, a new creation support request is input to the support screen distribution unit102through the request receiving unit100. The support screen distribution unit102distributes the support screen84shown inFIG. 7to the interpretation terminal18according to the input of the new creation support request. The distributed support screen84is displayed on the display of the interpretation terminal18. The support screen84has a function as a template in which each item of the interpretation report50is blank, and the new interpretation report50can be created by inputting information to each item, for example, by operating the interpretation terminal18to input characters or pasting the medical image40. An interpretation report storage tag120is provided on the support screen84, and the interpretation report50created through the support screen84is stored in the storage device70by selecting the interpretation report storage tag120.

An interpretation report verification tag122is provided on the support screen84. By selecting the interpretation report verification tag122, the verification processing unit104(refer toFIG. 5) operates to perform verification processing on the interpretation report50created through the support screen84. The verification processing is for detecting oversight in the interpretation report50. As shown inFIG. 5, the verification processing unit104functions as a reading unit130, an image deforming unit132, a difference detection unit134, and a notification screen distribution unit136(display control unit), and executes verification processing.

In accordance with the start of the verification processing, the reading unit130reads the interpretation report50in which oversight is to be detected (hereinafter, a detection target interpretation report50a) and the interpretation report50used for comparison with the detection target interpretation report (hereinafter, a comparison target interpretation report50b).

The detection target interpretation report50ais the interpretation report50newly created through the support screen84in a case where the verification processing is started by selecting the interpretation report verification tag122of the support screen84as described above.

On the other hand, the comparison target interpretation report50bis the interpretation report50created based on the medical image40(hereinafter, a comparison target medical image40b) obtained by imaging the same part of the same patient as in the medical image40(hereinafter, a detection target medical image40a) of the detection target interpretation report50a, at the same imaging posture. The reading unit130searches and reads an interpretation report matching the conditions among the interpretation reports stored in the storage device70.

Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the detection target interpretation report50ais the interpretation report50(CT) shown inFIG. 3and the comparison target interpretation report50bis the interpretation report50(MRI) shown inFIG. 2.

In this example, an example in which there is one comparison target interpretation report50bwill be described. However, a plurality of comparison target interpretation report50bmay be used.

In this example, the comparison target interpretation report50bis created based on the medical image40obtained by a different type of modality12from the detection target interpretation report50a. However, the comparison target interpretation report50bmay be created based on the medical image40obtained by the same type of modality12as the detection target interpretation report50a.

In addition, in this example, an example will be described in which the detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50bare created based on the medical image40obtained by head examination. However, the detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50bmay be created based on the medical image40obtained by examinations other than the head examination. The detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50bmay be created based on the medical image40obtained by imaging the same part of the same patient at the same imaging posture.

As shown inFIG. 8, the image deforming unit132extracts the detection target medical image40aand the comparison target medical image40bfrom the detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50bread by the reading unit130. Then, a deformed image140is generated by deforming the comparison target medical image40bso that the position of each portion of the comparison target medical image40bmatches the position of each portion of the detection target medical image40a.

Specifically, the image deforming unit132accesses the storage device70to search and extract an atlas image90having the same part (imaging part) and posture (imaging posture) as in the detection target medical image40aand the comparison target medical image40b.

The atlas image90is an image itself obtained in a case where a standard human body is imaged by the modality12or an image created by modeling on such an image, and a plurality of images corresponding to differences in parts or postures are prepared in advance (stored in the storage device70).

Then, the image deforming unit132calculates a deformation expression for deforming the comparison target medical image40bso that the extracted atlas image90and the position of each portion match each other (hereinafter, referred to as a comparison image deformation expression) and a deformation expression for deforming the detection target medical image40aso that the extracted atlas image90and the position of each portion match each other (hereinafter, referred to as a target image deformation expression).

Then, the image deforming unit132generates an intermediate image142obtained by deforming the comparison target medical image40bwith the comparison image deformation expression so that the position of each portion matches the extracted atlas image90. In addition, the image deforming unit132generates the deformed image140by deforming the intermediate image142using the target image deformation expression so that the position of each portion matches the detection target medical image40a.

That is, the image deforming unit132generates the deformed image140by deforming the comparison target medical image40bin two stages so that the position of each portion matches the detection target medical image40a.

Although the example of generating the deformed image140by deforming the comparison target medical image40bin two stages has been described, the deformed image140may be generated by one deformation without using (generating) the intermediate image142by calculating a deformation expression, which is for generating the deformed image140by one deformation from the comparison target medical image40b, based on the comparison image deformation expression and the target image deformation expression and deforming the comparison target medical image40bwith the calculated deformation expression.

The difference detection unit134examines the presence or absence of a region of interest, which is present in the comparison target interpretation report50b(comparison target medical image40b) but is not present in the detection target interpretation report50a(detection target medical image40a), by taking the difference between the deformed image140and the detection target medical image40a. In a case where such a region of interest is present, the region of interest is detected as a difference region.

In this example, the region of interest60is present in the comparison target medical image40b. For this reason, the region of interest60is similarly present in the deformed image140, but no region of interest is present in the detection target medical image40a. Therefore, the region of interest60is detected as a difference region (refer toFIGS. 8 and 10).

On the other hand, in a case where there is a region of interest common to the detection target interpretation report50a(detection target medical image40a) and the comparison target interpretation report50b(comparison target medical image40b) (in a case where a common region is set as a region of interest), the difference detection unit134compares the findings64(the findings64of the comparison target interpretation report50band the findings64of the detection target interpretation report50a) regarding such a common region of interest with each other.

In the storage device70, a term correspondence table92is stored (refer toFIG. 5). The difference detection unit134compares the above-described findings64with each other with reference to the term correspondence table92.

As shown inFIG. 9, in the term correspondence table92, terms having the same meaning are associated with each other. In the example shown inFIG. 9, terms having the same meaning for the brain region are associated with each other, and terms described in items arranged in the horizontal direction in the diagram are identified as the same terms.

Specifically, for “anterior cerebral artery region” (or “ACA”), even an expression of “frontal lobe” (or “parietal lobe”) is identified as the same term. Similarly, for “middle cerebral artery region” (or “MCA”), even an expression of “temporal lobe” (or “frontal lobe” or “parietal lobe”) is identified as the same term. In addition, for “posterior cerebral artery region” (or “PCA”), even an expression of “parietal lobe” (or “brainstem”) is identified as the same term.

In addition, for “motor area” (or “primary motor area”), even an expression of “BA4” is identified as the same term. For “motor association area” (or “premotor area”), even an expression of “BA6” is identified as the same term. For “prefrontal area” (or “frontal association area”), even an expression of any one of “BA9 to BA11” is identified as the same term. For “frontal eye area”, even an expression of “BA8” is identified as the same term.

In the example shown inFIG. 9, for a disease state such as a disease name, a plurality of disease states having the same meaning are associated. “Disease state A”, “disease state A′”, and “disease state A″” are identified as the same terms. Similarly, “disease state B” and “disease state B′” are identified as the same terms.

In the term correspondence table, terms having the same meaning among the terms used in the findings64may be associated. Therefore, for terms other than the terms shown inFIG. 9, for example, for parts of a patient other than the brain, a plurality of terms indicating the same part may be associated, or a plurality of terms indicating the degree of similarity for the degree of each disease state may be associated.

The difference detection unit134regards the terms associated with each other in the term correspondence table92as the same terms by referring to the term correspondence table92, compares the findings64with each other, and detects a portion of the findings64of the detection target interpretation report50a, which is different from the findings64of the comparison target interpretation report50b, as difference findings.

In the comparison between the findings64, in a case where there is a region of interest common to the detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50bas described above, comparison between the findings64for the region of interest is performed. In this example, since there is no region of interest common to the detection target interpretation report50aand the comparison target interpretation report50b, comparison between the findings64is not performed.

The notification screen distribution unit136generates a notification screen150(refer toFIG. 10) for providing notification of detection results of a difference region and difference findings by the difference detection unit134, that is, a verification result (verification processing result) of the detection target interpretation report50a, and distributes the notification screen150to the interpretation terminal18. The distributed notification screen150is displayed on the display of the interpretation terminal18. Therefore, it is possible to check the result of verification processing.

As shown inFIG. 10, in this example, a difference region is present, and difference findings are not present. Therefore, the notification screen150for providing notification of the presence of a difference region, that is, the presence of the region of interest60that is present in the comparison target medical image40b(deformed image140) but is not present in the detection target medical image40a. Then, the notification screen150is distributed to the interpretation terminal18, thereby providing notification of the presence of a difference region (in this example, the region of interest60).

In the example shown inFIG. 10, in order to emphasize the presence of a difference region (region of interest60), the difference region (region of interest60) is displayed (overlay-displayed) so as to overlap the detection target medical image40a. However, a portion other than the difference region, for example, the deformed image140itself or a part (for example, a region of interest other than the difference region) of the deformed image140other than the difference region may be overlay-displayed.

Undoubtedly, in a case where difference findings are detected by verification processing, notification of the presence of difference findings is provided by the notification screen (notification screen for providing notification of the presence of difference findings is generated and distributed).

For example, as shown inFIG. 11, in a case where the common region of interest60is present but a suspicion of “cerebral infarction” is pointed out in the findings64in the detection target interpretation report50aand a suspicion of “cerebral hemorrhage” is pointed out in the findings64in the comparison target interpretation report50b, that is, in a case where difference findings are present, notification of the presence of the difference findings is provided by the notification screen160.

In the example shown inFIG. 11, in order to emphasize the presence of the difference findings, a portion of the findings64of the detection target interpretation report50a, which is different from the findings64of the comparison target interpretation report50b, is underlined. However, in a case where a suspicion of “disease state A” is pointed out in the findings64in the detection target interpretation report50aand a suspicion of “disease state A′” is pointed out in the findings64in the comparison target interpretation report50b, “disease state A” and “disease state A′” can be regarded as the same meaning by referring to the term correspondence table92(refer toFIG. 9). For this reason, the difference is not detected as difference findings.

As described above, also in a case where difference findings are detected, notification of the fact (that the difference findings have been detected) is provided by the notification screen in the same manner as in the case where the difference region is detected. Undoubtedly, in a case where both the difference region and the difference findings are detected, notification of the presence of both the difference region and the difference findings is provided by the notification screen.

Returning toFIG. 6, in a case where the created interpretation report verification tag112is selected on the support screen82, an interpretation report designation screen (not shown) is distributed to the interpretation terminal18through the support screen distribution unit102and is displayed on the display of the interpretation terminal18.

The interpretation report designation screen is an operation screen for designating the interpretation report50as the detection target interpretation report50aand the interpretation report50as the comparison target interpretation report50bfrom the interpretation reports50stored in the storage device70. By operating the interpretation terminal18, it is possible to designate the interpretation report50as the detection target interpretation report50aand the interpretation report50as the comparison target interpretation report50b.

The interpretation report50as the detection target interpretation report50ais designated, for example, by selecting the interpretation report50as the detection target interpretation report50afrom the interpretation reports50stored in the storage device70.

Designation of the interpretation report50as the comparison target interpretation report50bis performed, for example, by extracting the interpretation reports50, which are created based on the medical image40obtained by imaging the same part of the same patient as in the interpretation report50designated as the detection target interpretation report50a, from the storage device70and selecting the interpretation report50as the comparison target interpretation report50bfrom the extracted interpretation reports50.

Then, in a case where the interpretation report50as the detection target interpretation report50aand the interpretation report50as the comparison target interpretation report50bare designated, verification processing is performed in the same manner as in the case where the interpretation report verification tag122is selected on the support screen84(refer toFIG. 7), and a notification screen (for example, the notification screen150shown inFIG. 10or the notification screen160shown inFIG. 11) indicating the verification result is distributed to the interpretation terminal18.

As described above, in the invention, in a case where a difference region, that is, a region of interest that is present in the comparison target medical image but is not present in the detection target medical image, is detected by performing verification processing, notification of the fact is provided. Therefore, for example, by finding an overlooked lesion by the verification processing, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the interpretation technique of the radiologist.

Since the detected difference region is overlay-displayed on the detection target medical image, it is easy to understand the difference region at a glance.

In addition, since the detection or overlay display of the difference region is performed after deforming the comparison target medical image so that each part matches the detection target medical image, more appropriate detection or overlay display of the difference region becomes possible.

In a case where a region of interest common to the detection target medical image and the comparison target medical image is set, in a case where there is a difference as a result of comparing the findings on the common region of interest, notification of the fact is provided. This can contribute to the improvement of the interpretation technique more reliably.

In the comparison of findings, since terms having the same meaning are regarded as the same terms by the term correspondence table even in a case where the terms are differently expressed, more accurate comparison is possible.

In addition, since the interpretation report as a detection target interpretation report may be not only a new interpretation report, which is newly created, but also an interpretation report created in the past, it is possible to verify not only the new interpretation report but also the past interpretation report. That is, by reviewing the past interpretation report to check oversight and the like, it is possible to improve the interpretation technique.

In the invention, since verification is performed with one of interpretation reports, which are created based on medical images acquired by examinations using different examination apparatuses, as a detection target interpretation report and the others as comparison target interpretation reports, a noticeable effect can be obtained. In particular, it is effective to verify interpretation reports created based on medical images acquired by examination apparatuses having different characteristics (advantages and disadvantages), such as a CT examination apparatus and an MRI examination apparatus. In addition, it is effective to verify an interpretation report created by an examination in which the result of interpretation has a serious influence on the patient, such as a head examination.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES