Lung Segmentation on Postero-anterior Digital Chest Radiographs Using Active Contours

Abstract

A computerized pulmonary segmentation based on the detection of oriented edges was performed in postero-anterior (PA) digital radiography (DR) images. To further improve detection of lung contours, a method based on the use of active contours models was developed. First, the technique calculates a set of reference lines to determine the relative position of the lungs in the image. Then, vertical and horizontal rectangular regions of interest (ROIs) are studied to identify the preliminary edge. These points are an approximation to the lung edges that are adjusted using the active contours models. We studied the influence of the different parameters of the active contours on the final result over 30 DR images. Results prove that the active contour models, with selected parameters, can be used to improve the results of a given segmentation scheme. © Springer-Verlag 2004.