Content area

Abstract

Gallbladder function is routinely assessed using ultrasonographic (USG) examinations. In clinical practice, doctors very often analyse the gallbladder shape when diagnosing selected disorders, e.g. if there are turns or folds of the gallbladder, so extracting its shape from USG images using supporting software can simplify a diagnosis that is often difficult to make. The paper describes two active contour models: the edge-based model and the region-based model making use of a morphological approach, both designed for extracting the gallbladder shape from USG images. The active contour models were applied to USG images without lesions and to those showing specific disease units, namely, anatomical changes like folds and turns of the gallbladder as well as polyps and gallstones. This paper also presents modifications of the edge-based model, such as the method for removing self-crossings and loops or the method of dampening the inflation force which moves nodes if they approach the edge being determined. The user is also able to add a fragment of the approximated edge beyond which neither active contour model will move if this edge is incomplete in the USG image. The modifications of the edge-based model presented here allow more precise results to be obtained when extracting the shape of the gallbladder from USG images than if the morphological model is used.

Details

Title
Gallbladder shape extraction from ultrasound images using active contour models
Author
Ciecholewski, Marcin; Chocholowicz, Jakub
Pages
2238-55
Publication year
2013
Publication date
Dec 2013
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
ISSN
00104825
e-ISSN
18790534
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1464964822
Copyright
Copyright Elsevier Limited Dec 2013