Customized Hough transform for segmentation of the cervical vertebrae in x-ray images

Date

2001-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Coarse segmentation of cervical vertebrae in radiographic images is a difficult task that requires an effective segmentation procedure. Noise, occlusions and shape variability (including scale and rotation) are part of the scenario in many of the x-ray images of the cervical spine. Therefore, a robust technique that performs well in presence of these circumstances should be used.

We propose a customized approach, based on the Generalized Hough TransfoiTn (GHT), which captures shape variability and exploits shape information embedded in the Hough domain to overcome noise and occlusions. Critical parameters for GHT, in terms of performance, are analyzed and a particular approach for this application is proposed and discussed.

Description

Keywords

X-rays, Cervical vertebrae, Imaging analysis

Citation