Computer recognition of chest image orientation

A review console displaying digital radiographs should automatically display chest images in their proper orientation to save radiologists´ time. To accomplish this feat, the authors have developed a simple, rapid algorithm that can be implemented in hardware. First, the view of the radiograph is determined. Two profiles from each chest image are compared against a standard to determine if the image contains a posterior-anterior (PA) or lateral view. In the case of PA, the top of the image is determined from the comparisons of the profile. The edge of the heart is found to make sure the image is not displayed as a mirror image. If the image is found to contain a lateral view of the patient, the profile indicates the spine but the top of the image remains to be detected