And detects a lesion candidate based on the difference in size of left and right intercostal space. Obtains the intercostal plurality of regions surrounded by the rib area for each (step S11, S12), the lung field region of the right and left to extract the rib area and the lung field region of the left and right included in the medical image medical image processing apparatus, ( the difference between the feature data of the calculated (step S15), and each combination of intercostal region corresponding left and right of the intercostal space of the plurality calculates the feature amount indicating the size of each intercostal space step S13), and obtained It is determined by a threshold or not greater, is detected as an area of the lesion candidate intercostal area according to a combination of the determined difference is large between (step S16) candidate detection means, display means, a detection result of the lesion candidate I provide be displayed on the display means, and (step S17) control means.左右の肋間領域の大きさの差に基づいて病変候補の検出を行う。医用画像処理装置は、医用画像に含まれる左右の肺野領域及び肋骨領域を抽出し(ステップS11、S12)、前記左右の肺野領域のそれぞれについて肋骨領域により囲まれる複数の肋間領域を求め(ステップS13)、求めた各肋間領域の大きさを示す特徴量を算出し(ステップS15)、前記複数の肋間領域のうち左右で対応する肋間領域の組合せ毎に前記算出された特徴量の差が大きいか否かを閾値により判断し、差が大きいと判断された組合せに係る肋間領域を病変候補の領域として検出する(ステップS16)候補検出手段と、表示手段と、前記病変候補の検出結果を前記表示手段に表示する(ステップS17)制御手段と、を備える。
