A system and method for enhanced viewing of rib metastasis in CT volume data is disclosed. The system and method receive input CT volume data and display slices of the CT volume data. Ribs are automatically segmented from the CT volume data, ordered and labeled. A 3D visualization of the ribs is generated and displayed. Alterations in the rib structure is automatically detected using shape based analysis of the ribs. The alterations are marked as candidate locations for rib metastasis in the displayed slices and 3D visualization in order to assist in the diagnosis of rib metastasis.
