System and Method for Enabling Selection of an Image Registration Transformation

System and method for enabling intra-operative selection of an image registration transformation for use in displaying a first image dataset and a second image dataset in correspondence with one another. Image dataset acquisition devices ( 12, 14 ) obtain the first and second image datasets. A similarity function indicative of a likelihood that the first and second image datasets are in correspondence with one another is computed by a processor ( 16 ) and then a ranking of each of a plurality of local maxima of the similarity function is determined. Registration transformations derived from a plurality of the local maxima are displayed on a display ( 18 ), and using a user-interface ( 22 ), a physician can select each registration transformation to ascertain visually whether it is the clinically-optimal registration transformation for subsequent use.