Method and system for automatic identification and orientation of medical images

A method and system (100) for computer-aided detection of abnormal lesions in digital mammograms is described, wherein digital films are processed using an automated and computerized method of detecting the order and orientation of a set of films (102). In one embodiment, anatomical features are used to detect the order, orientation and identification of a film series. After processing, the system provides an output on a display device to a radiologist that is in an order and orientation preferred by the radiologist. In yet another embodiment of the invention, films from one case are distinguished from films in another case. In this manner and through the use of a bulk loader, a large number of films can be stacked together and fed into the system at one time.