3D image analysis of the lung area using thin section CT images and its application to differential diagnosis

摘要

The lung area has a very complicated structure which consists of the bronchus, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary vein. So it is difficult for even medical specialists to understand the spatial relationships between the tumor, the bronchus, and the blood vessels. Here we present a 3D image analysis method of the lung area using thin section CT images, and we apply this system to the differential diagnosis of abnormal tissue to determine if it is of malignant or benign nature. This system consists of two steps. The first step is the analysis and classification of the structure of the lung area, and the second step is the 3D visualization and their quantitative analysis of pre-classified pulmonary organs for quantitative analysis.