Displaying and navigating computer-aided detection results on a review workstation

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying computer-aided detection (CAD) detections associated with a tomosynthesis case, the tomosynthesis case comprising a plurality of tomosynthesis images that are processed by a CAD algorithm to identify CAD detections therein based at least in part upon respective computed features associated with respective CAD detections, each CAD detection being associated with a location in a tomosynthesis image of the tomosynthesis case, the method comprising:

displaying one or more of the plurality of tomosynthesis images, the displayed one or more tomosynthesis images each including one or more respective CAD markers corresponding to locations of CAD detections in the tomosynthesis case;

displaying an expanded presentation window of a location in a displayed tomosynthesis image in response to receiving a user selection of a respective CAD marker in the displayed tomosynthesis image; and

displaying the expanded presentation window for the location in the tomosynthesis image associated with the CAD detection corresponding to the selected CAD marker, wherein the expanded presentation window is displayed over the location in the tomosynthesis image.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

mapping a computed feature onto an operating curve of a navigational tool, the navigational tool comprising the operating curve and a plurality of CAD pointer icons, wherein the CAD pointer icons correspond to respective CAD detections in the tomosynthesis case, the plurality of CAD pointer icons being spatially distributed along the operating curve according to the mapping, each CAD pointer icon visually communicating an aspect of the CAD detection by a position of the CAD pointer icon on the operating curve; and

displaying the navigational tool in proximity to the tomosynthesis image to the viewer.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the respective CAD markers and CAD pointer icons have two-way rollover correspondence.

4. The method of claim 3 , the two-way rollover correspondence comprising a mouse cursor being rolled over a CAD marker, with the corresponding CAD pointer icon increasing in brightness.

5. The method of claim 3 , the two-way rollover correspondence comprising a mouse cursor being rolled over a CAD pointer icon, with the corresponding CAD marker increasing in brightness.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying a sequence of expanded presentation windows, each expanded presentation window corresponding to a CAD detection at a respective location in a tomosynthesis image; and

interrupting the sequence of the displayed expanded presentation windows in response to receiving the user selection of the respective CAD marker in the displayed tomosynthesis image.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the sequence of expanded presentation windows is displayed according to a timewise presentation sequence.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the sequence of expanded presentation windows is selectably displayed according to user prompting.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

simultaneously displaying a plurality of expanded presentation windows, each expanded presentation window of the plurality corresponding to a respective CAD detection at a respective location in a respective tomosynthesis image; and

highlighting the expanded presentation window for the location in the tomosynthesis image associated with the CAD detection corresponding to the selected CAD marker in response to receiving the user selection of the respective CAD marker in the displayed tomosynthesis image.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanded presentation window is displayed over the selected CAD marker.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising

receiving a request from a user to instantiate CAD-assisted viewing of the tomosynthesis case;

automatically computing a timewise presentation sequence for the CAD detections according to a predetermined sequencing criterion comprising a computed feature of the CAD detections as computed by the CAD algorithm; and

displaying a sequence of expanded presentation windows, each expanded presentation window corresponding to a CAD detection at a respective location in a tomosynthesis image interrupting the sequence of the displayed expanded presentation windows in response to receiving the user selection of the respective CAD marker in the displayed tomosynthesis image.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising interrupting the sequence of the displayed expanded presentation windows in response to receiving the user selection of the respective CAD marker in the displayed tomosynthesis image.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein one expanded presentation window is displayed at a time.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the computed feature is viewer-selectable.

15. The method of claim 14 , each expanded presentation window of the sequence being superimposed upon the respective tomosynthesis image near the respective location.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein each expanded presentation window allows for at least one of (i) viewer manipulation of scale, (ii) viewer manipulation of tone, (iii) interactive viewing of CAD-computed feature characteristics, or (iv) interactive segmentation or analysis.