Automated detection of lung tumors in PET/CT images using active contour filter

Atsushi Teramoto, Hayato Adachi, Masakazu Tsujimoto, Hiroshi Fujita, Katsuaki Takahashi, Osamu Yamamuro, Tsuneo Tamaki, Masami Nishio, Toshiki Kobayashi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In a previous study, we developed a hybrid tumor detection method that used both computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) images. However, similar to existing computer-aided detection (CAD) schemes, it was difficult to detect low-contrast lesions that touch to the normal organs such as the chest wall or blood vessels in the lung. In the current study, we proposed a novel lung tumor detection method that uses active contour filters to detect the nodules deemed »difficult» in previous CAD schemes. The proposed scheme detects lung tumors using both CT and PET images. As for the detection in CT images, the massive region was first enhanced using an active contour filter (ACF), which is a type of contrast enhancement filter that has a deformable kernel shape. The kernel shape involves closed curves that are connected by several nodes that move iteratively in order to enclose the massive region. The final output of ACF is the difference between the maximum pixel value on the deformable kernel, and pixel value on the center of the filter kernel. Subsequently, the PET images were binarized to detect the regions of increased uptake. The results were integrated, followed by the false positive reduction using 21 characteristic features and three support vector machines. In the experiment, we evaluated the proposed method using 100 PET/CT images. More than half of nodules missed using previous methods were accurately detected. The results indicate that our method may be useful for the detection of lung tumors using PET/CT images.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2015
Subtitle of host publicationComputer-Aided Diagnosis
EditorsLubomir M. Hadjiiski, Lubomir M. Hadjiiski, Georgia D. Tourassi, Georgia D. Tourassi
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781628415049, 9781628415049
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventSPIE Medical Imaging Symposium 2015: Computer-Aided Diagnosis - Orlando, United States
Duration: 22-02-201525-02-2015

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume9414
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Other

OtherSPIE Medical Imaging Symposium 2015: Computer-Aided Diagnosis
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period22-02-1525-02-15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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