ICON: a computer-based approach to differential diagnosis in radiology

Abstract

ICON is a computer-based expert system being developed to help radiologists with the process of differential diagnosis. ICON focuses on the domain of lung disease as seen on a chest radiograph in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Rather than attempt to tell the radiologist what the diagnosis is, the system asks him or her to propose a diagnosis and then discusses the evidence supporting that diagnosis or competing diagnoses. The system's output is in the form of an English prose critique. This approach combines the computer's ability to recall detailed information with human reasoning skills