Localization of inter-rib spaces for lung texture analysis and computer-aided diagnosis in digital chest images

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Abstract
An automated method for sampling lung textures in digital posterior/anterior chest images is being developed for use in computer-aided diagnosis of interstitial pulmonary diseases. In our present approach, two vertical profiles in the periphery of both lungs are fitted with a shift-variant sinusoidal function from which we estimate locations of posterior ribs and inter-rib spaces. Regions of interest (RIO''s) for sampling lung textures are then automatically centered on the calculated locations of inter-rib spaces. In test with 66 chest images, the overall success rate in placing 6.4 mm .times. 6.4 mm ROI''s within inter-rib spaces with this method was 71%, with an average of 18 ROI''s selected in 4-5 s/image by a VAX11/750 computer. When four additional alternative ROI''s were selected on the sides of each original ROI, the success rate in having at least one ROI correctly located in an inter-rib space increased to 94%. Since we are still developing a fully automated sampling method, the present approach has been incorporated into a semiautomated method that is currently being used to sample lung textures from a large number of clinical cases.