Segmentation of liver region with tumorous tissues

Xuejun Zhang, Gobert Lee, Tetsuji Tajima, Teruhiko Kitagawa, Masayuki Kanematsu, Xiangrong Zhou, Takeshi Hara, Hiroshi Fujita, Ryujiro Yokoyama, Hiroshi Kondo, Hiroaki Hoshi, Shigeru Nawano, Kenji Shinozaki

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Segmentation of an abnormal liver region based on CT or MR images is a crucial step in surgical planning. However, precisely carrying out this step remains a challenge due to either connectivities of the liver to other organs or the shape, internal texture, and homogeneity of liver that maybe extensively affected in case of liver diseases. Here, we propose a non-density based method for extracting the liver region containing tumor tissues by edge detection processing. False extracted regions are eliminated by a shape analysis method and thresholding processing. If the multi-phased images are available then the overall outcome of segmentation can be improved by subtracting two phase images, and the connectivities can be further eliminated by referring to the intensity on another phase image. Within an edge liver map, tumor candidates are identified by their different gray values relative to the liver. After elimination of the small and nonspherical over-extracted regions, the final liver region integrates the tumor region with the liver tissue. In our experiment, 40 cases of MDCT images were used and the result showed that our fully automatic method for the segmentation of liver region is effective and robust despite the presence of hepatic tumors within the liver.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2007
Subtitle of host publicationImage Processing
EditorsJosien P W Pluim, Joseph M Reinhardt
Place of PublicationUnited States
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)0819466301, 9780819466303
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
EventMedical Imaging 2007: Image Processing - San Diego, United States
Duration: 18 Feb 200720 Feb 2007

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume6512
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceMedical Imaging 2007: Image Processing
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period18/02/0720/02/07

Keywords

  • Computer-aided diagnosis
  • Edge extraction
  • Liver
  • Multi-phase CT
  • Segmentation
  • Subtraction method
  • Tumor

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