Method, executed by a computer, for image data processing, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing (P3D) a 3D medical image data record, which relates to an elongated anatomical structure, wherein a centre line of the elongated anatomical structure is defined in the 3D medical image data record, wherein the elongated anatomical structure is a rib, - defining at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) in the 3D medical image data record, wherein the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) winds around the centre line of the elongated anatomical structure, wherein the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) is a plurality of curved slices, wherein the curved slices of the plurality of curved slices are arranged substantially coaxially around the centre line and encase the centre line of the elongated anatomical structure in a tubular manner in each case, - scanning at least one part of the 3D medical image data record into the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS), - unrolling the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS), into which the at least one part of the 3D medical image data record has been scanned, wherein at least one unrolled flat slice (LP1, LP3, LP6) is determined, wherein the at least one unrolled flat slice (LP1, LP3, LP6) is a plurality of unrolled flat slices which together form a volume data record, - wherein the method is characterised in that the curved slices of the plurality of curved slices each represent a surface, which can be mapped onto the surface of the elongated anatomical structure by means of a central extension and that based on the volume data record a 2D image is generated by means of a minimum intensity projection or maximum intensity projection. - providing (P3D) a 3D medical image data record, which relates to an elongated anatomical structure, wherein a centre line of the elongated anatomical structure is defined in the 3D medical image data record, wherein the elongated anatomical structure is a rib, - defining at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) in the 3D medical image data record, wherein the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) winds around the centre line of the elongated anatomical structure, wherein the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS) is a plurality of curved slices, wherein the curved slices of the plurality of curved slices are arranged substantially coaxially around the centre line and encase the centre line of the elongated anatomical structure in a tubular manner in each case, - scanning at least one part of the 3D medical image data record into the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS), - unrolling the at least one curved slice (LR, LA, LS), into which the at least one part of the 3D medical image data record has been scanned, wherein at least one unrolled flat slice (LP1, LP3, LP6) is determined, wherein the at least one unrolled flat slice (LP1, LP3, LP6) is a plurality of unrolled flat slices which together form a volume data record, - wherein the method is characterised in that the curved slices of the plurality of curved slices each represent a surface, which can be mapped onto the surface of the elongated anatomical structure by means of a central extension and that based on the volume data record a 2D image is generated by means of a minimum intensity projection or maximum intensity projection.