An algorithm for automatic tracking of nuclear boundaries.
An image segmentation algorithm, based on boundary tracking, was introduced to achieve automatic segmentation of nuclei. This will improve reliability and reproducibility for the computer-assisted grading of routinely stained material, especially from biopsies, which often offer only scanty clinical material. Nuclear grading systems using karyometric features were developed earlier. However, hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues have proven difficult for automatic segmentation, which is a crucial part of an objective grading system. In this paper we describe an automatic tracking method that traces nuclear boundaries on the basis of edge information and local boundary features. There were two phases to the procedure. First, approximate boundaries were extracted by automatic thresholding; then, boundaries were refined through interactive tracking. The results are encouraging.
Xiao
J
J
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-5244.
Christen
R
R
Minimo
C
C
Bartels
P H
PH
Bibbo
M
M
D000465:Algorithms; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure