3D shape analysis to reduce false positives for lung nodule detection systems

Med Biol Eng Comput. 2017 Aug;55(8):1199-1213. doi: 10.1007/s11517-016-1582-x. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

Using images from the Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC-IDRI), we developed a methodology for classifying lung nodules. The proposed methodology uses image processing and pattern recognition techniques. To classify volumes of interest into nodules and non-nodules, we used shape measurements only, analyzing their shape using shape diagrams, proportion measurements, and a cylinder-based analysis. In addition, we use the support vector machine classifier. To test the proposed methodology, it was applied to 833 images from the LIDC-IDRI database, and cross-validation with k-fold, where [Formula: see text], was used to validate the results. The proposed methodology for the classification of nodules and non-nodules achieved a mean accuracy of 95.33 %. Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer worldwide. Therefore, precocious detection allows for faster therapeutic intervention and a more favorable prognosis for the patient. Our proposed methodology contributes to the classification of lung nodules and should help in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Keywords: Cylinder-based analysis; Lung cancer; Medical image; Shape diagrams.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Machine Learning
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*