A Classification Algorithm of Abdominal Ultrasound Images in Medical Practice for Secondary Uses

Abstract

A classification algorithm for abdominal organs in ultrasonic test images based on the operator’s knowledge is proposed. This is in order to use the medical images included in medical charts for secondary uses, e.g., medical data analysis. It makes a correlation between target organs in test images and search unit information on the body mark region. In the central region of abdominal images, target organs are uniquely determined through recognition of the liver region and in consideration of the location of the diaphragm. A classification experiment, done using 600,000 real test images taken at the Kochi Medical School Hospital from 2004 to 2008, was carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed system in terms of accuracy rate of detection of the body mark region and diaphragm region. The proposed algorithm constitutes an essential classification system for the secondary use of a large database of ultrasound images taken in the course of medical practice.