Automated Classification of Abdominal Ultrasound lmages of the Pancreas Based on the Spectral Representation of the Border’s Contours

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to develop a methodology for classifying complexly structured halftone images based on a multimodal approach using methods of morphological analysis, spectral analysis and neural network modeling.Methods. А method for classifying the contours of the boundaries of segments of a complexly structured image is described. Тhe method is based on the fact that in chronic diseases of the pancreas, there is a violation of the integrity of the contour of its border and its waviness increases due to retractions and bulges caused by an alterative inflammatory process. Тhe method includes the stages of normalization of ultrasound images and image segmentation with the selection of the contour of the object of interest. Тo classify the contour of a segment boundary, it is proposed to use Fourier analysis and neural network technologies. Тhe method is illustrated using the example of classifying the contour of the border of the pancreas on its transcutaneous acoustic image.Results. Еxperimental studies of the proposed methods and means for classifying medical risk were carried out on diagnostic tasks according to the following classes: "chronic pancreatitis" – "without pathology". For experimental studies, video sequences of ultrasound images of the pancreas provided by an endoscopist were used. Тhe purpose of the experimental studies was to analyze the classification quality indicators of image classifiers with class segments "Chronic pancreatitis" and "Without pathology". Тhe training sample of video images (frames of video sequences) included 200 examples, one hundred from each class. Тhe quality indicator "Sensitivity" of classification for two classes is 85,7%, the indicator "Specificity" is 87,1%.Тhe use of the contour analysis method in classifiers of ultrasound images of the pancreas opens up new opportunities for accessible and objective diagnosis of pancreatic diseases, expanding the capabilities of intelligent clinical decision support systems.