Boundary-specific cost functions for quantitative airway analysis.
Computed tomography (CT) images of the lungs provide high resolution views of the airways. Quantitative measurements such as lumen diameter and wall thickness help diagnose and localize airway diseases, assist in surgical planning, and determine progress of treatment. Automated quantitative analysis of such images is needed due to the number of airways per patient. We present an approach involving dynamic programming coupled with boundary-specific cost functions that is capable of differentiating inner and outer borders. The method allows for precise delineation of the inner lumen and outer wall. The results are demonstrated on synthetic data, evaluated on human datasets compared to human operators, and verified on phantom CT scans to sub-voxel accuracy.
Siemens Corporate Research, Princeton, NJ, USA. atilla.kiraly@siemens.com
Atilla P
AP
Kiraly
Benjamin L
BL
Odry
David P
DP
Naidich
Carol L
CL
Novak
D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity