A Study of Radiologists Viewing Multiple CT Scans Using An Eyetracking Device TR 89 - 039 December , 1989

Understanding the visual scan patterns radiologists use to view medical images is critical to the design of image viewing devices_ We used an Eyetracker, a device for recording eye and head movement, to determine the visual scan patterns during the interpretation of single and multiple computed tomographic (CT) scans presented on a four-over-four viewbox. CT scans were used because they represent complex viewing situations. In two separate experiments, radiologists viewed patient folders containing single or multiple CT chest scans, and dictated a report. Eye movement was recorded with an eyetracker and video camera. After mounting the films in order, radiologists generally started with a sequential visual scan through the entire set of images, followed by careful examination of two to four clusters of one to four images, followed by dictating the interpretation report. These results indicate that a well designed radiology workstation should provide an image index, arbitrarily and sequential movement through the image set, image comparison, and image marking.