Presentation of MRI on a computer screen

Abstract

This paper examines the presentation of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) on a computer screen. In order to understand the issues involved with the diagnostic-viewing task performed by the radiologist, field observations were obtained in the traditional light screen environment. Requirement issues uncovered included: user control over grouping, size and position of images; navigation of images and image groups; and provision of both presentation detail and presentation context. Existing presentation techniques and variations were explored in order to obtain an initial design direction to address these issues.In particular, the provision of both presentation detail and presentation context was addressed and suitable emphasis layout algorithms examined. An appropriate variable scaling layout algorithm was chosen to provide magnification of selected images while maintaining the contextual images at a smaller scale on the screen at the same time. MR image tolerance levels to presentation distortions inherent in the layout were identified and alternative approaches suggested for further consideration.An initial user feedback study was conducted to determine preference and degree of user enthusiasm to design proposals. Response to the scaling layouts pointed to continuing issues with distortion tolerance and provided further insight into the radiologists' needs. Trade-off between visualization enhancements and distortions resulting from detail-in-context layouts were examined, a catalog of distortions and tolerances presented and a new variation of the layout algorithm developed. Future work includes more extensive user studies to further determine desirable and undesirable elements of the proposed solutions.