1. A method for allowing a content-based search of a data archive for files and for image files referenced by the files, the method comprising: extracting information provided in structured documents from a number of files managed by a document management system in an image retrieval system, to produce an inverted index for content-based searching of image files in a digital image database, including elements of at least two attributes, including a location of files responsive to a search query and process steps to be taken based on the query results, and context information held in the files and used for content-based image retrieval; executing a parsing algorithm and an algorithm for extracting features of at least one of new files and one of the files whose content has been at least one of extended and altered when the files are stored in the data archive managed by the document management system for the purpose of updating the inverted index; providing a selection of process steps for further handling of information contained in files which have been found based on the inverted index; sending a context-sensitive query to the document management system to search for documents using the inverted index by inputting context-sensitive search terms using a browser program running on a client computer; transmitting a message from the document management system to a process control system in which the process steps for further handling of the information contained in files which have been found and axe relevant to the search terms entered are requested; forwarding the process steps ascertained by the process control system to the document management system; providing the files found and the process steps to the client computer; viewing the files provided by the document management system and viewing the image files referenced by the files provided; selecting at least one process step which is suitable in consideration of the information viewed; and transmitting at least one of selected and planned process steps, including the elements of the two attributes from the client computer to the process control system on the basis of the content of the documents provided, wherein the process steps are related to at least one of medical examinations, therapeutic treatments and medications for a diagnosis included in the inverted index.
2. The inverted index at least one of produced, extended and updated by the method as claimed in claim 1 , for content-based searching for at least one of the files and image files, referenced by the files and stored in a digital image archive.