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Automated Lung Segmentation from HRCT Scans with Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases

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Abstract

Performing accurate and fully automated lung segmentation of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images affected by dense abnormalities is a challenging problem. This paper presents a novel algorithm for automated segmentation of lungs based on modified convex hull algorithm and mathematical morphology techniques. Sixty randomly selected lung HRCT scans with different abnormalities are used to test the proposed algorithm, and experimental results show that the proposed approach can accurately segment the lungs even in the presence of disease patterns, with some limitations in the apices and bases of lungs. The algorithm demonstrates a high segmentation accuracy (dice similarity coefficient = 98.62 and shape differentiation metrics dmean = 1.39 mm, and drms = 2.76 mm). Therefore, the developed automated lung segmentation algorithm is a good candidate for the first stage of a computer-aided diagnosis system for diffuse lung diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology, Nambur, Guntur, AP, India

    Ammi Reddy Pulagam & Giri Babu Kande

  2. Lakireddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering, Mylavaram, Vijayawada, AP, India

    Venkata Krishna Rao Ede

  3. Acharya Nagrjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur, AP, India

    Ramesh Babu Inampudi

Authors
  1. Ammi Reddy Pulagam
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  2. Giri Babu Kande
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  3. Venkata Krishna Rao Ede
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  4. Ramesh Babu Inampudi
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Correspondence to Ammi Reddy Pulagam.

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Pulagam, A.R., Kande, G.B., Ede, V.K. et al. Automated Lung Segmentation from HRCT Scans with Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases. J Digit Imaging 29, 507–519 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-016-9875-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-016-9875-z

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