title: Computer-aided analysis of prostate multiparametric MR images: an unsupervised fusion-based approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to provide an automatic framework for computer-aided analysis of multiparametric magnetic resonance (mp-MR) images of prostate.
  
  
  METHODS
  We introduce a novel method for the unsupervised analysis of the images. An evidential C-means classifier was adapted for use with a segmentation scheme to address multisource data and to manage conflicts and redundancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Experiments were conducted using data from 15 patients. The evaluation protocol consisted in evaluating the method abilities to classify prostate tissues, showing the same behaviour on the mp-MR images, into homogeneous classes. As the actual diagnosis was available, thanks to the correlation with histopathological findings, the assessment focused on the ability to segment cancer foci. The method exhibited global sensitivity and specificity of 70 and 88 %, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preliminary results obtained by these initial experiments showed that the method can be applied in clinical routine practice to help making decision especially for practitioners with limited experience in prostate MRI analysis.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, U703, 152, rue du Docteur Yersin, 59120, Loos, CHRU de Lille, France, nacim.betrouni@inserm.fr.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Betrouni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Makni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lakroum
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mordon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puech
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media