Subtraction technique for computerized detection of small lung nodules in computer tomography images

摘要

A method, system, computer readable medium and apparatus for computerized detection of lung nodules in computer tomography images, by which mask images are created such that subtractions of the mask image from a targeted CT section image reveal or highlight small lung nodules in the target CT section. The mask image is created utilizing the targeted CT section image along with other CT section images generated from the same CT scan. Based on these other section CT images and the targeted CT section image, a mask image can be created that is very similar to the target CT section image, but without the presence of small lung nodules. When the mask image is subtracted from the targeted CT section image, the differences between the mask images and the CT section images reveal small lung nodules. The mask image may be created by linear interpolation or a morphological filtered image.