XAOM: A method for automatic alignment and orientation of radiographs for computer-aided medical diagnosis.

Journal: Computers in biology and medicine
Published Date:

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Computer-aided diagnosis relies on machine learning algorithms that require filtered and preprocessed data as the input. Aligning the image in the desired direction is an additional manual step in post-processing, commonly overlooked due to workload issues. Several state-of-the-art approaches for fracture detection and disease-struck region segmentation benefit from correctly oriented images, thus requiring such preprocessing of X-ray images. Furthermore, it is desirable to have archived studies in a standardized format. Radiograph hanging protocols also differ from case to case, which means that images are not always aligned and oriented correctly. As a solution, the paper proposes XAOM, an X-ray Alignment and Orientation Method for images from 21 different body regions.

Authors

  • Franko Hržić
    University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Computer Engineering, Vukovarska 58, Rijeka, 51000, Croatia; University of Rijeka, Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, Radmile Matejčić 2, Rijeka, 51000, Croatia.
  • Sebastian Tschauner
    Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
  • Erich Sorantin
    Medical University of Graz, Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Auenbruggerplatz 34, Graz, 8036, Austria.
  • Ivan Štajduhar
    Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, Vukovarska 58, Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Üniversite Cd. No:27, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: istajduh@riteh.hr.