Multiparameter medical image visualization with self-organizing maps

The effective display of multiparameter medical image data sets is assuming increasing importance as more distinct imaging modalities are becoming available. For medical purposes, one desirable goal is to fuse such data sets into a single most informative gray-scale image without making rigid classification decisions. A visualization technique based on a non-linear projection onto a 1-D self-organizing map is described and examples are shown. The SOM visualization technique is fast, theoretically attractive, a useful complement to projection-pursuit or other linear techniques, and may be of particular value in calling attention to specific regions in a multiparameter image where the component images should be examined in detail