A method for selecting and/or labeling a vessel image includes operating
an imaging system to obtain reconstructed image data including a volume
having vessels therein. A bone removal routine is then applied to the
reconstructed image data to produce a bone-free image. An initial point
on a main vessel in the bone-free image is located, and bifurcation
points and branches departing from the main vessel are identified. An
adjacency graph of each branch coming from the main vessel is built. The
method includes either or both of selecting and displaying a best or at
least a favorable path through the vessels in accordance with
predetermined criteria using the adjacency branch, or labeling and
displaying branches of the main vessel.