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Web-based bone age assessment by content-based image retrieval for case-based reasoning

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Maturity estimation by radiological bone age assessment (BAA) is a frequent task for pediatric radiologists. Following Greulich and Pyle, all hand bones are compared with a standard atlas, or a subset of bones is examined according to Tanner and Whitehouse. We support BAA comparing the epiphyses of a current case to similar cases with validated bone age by content-based image retrieval (CBIR).

Methods

A web-based prototype case-based retrieval system for BAA was developed and is publicly available. Hand radiographs from the USC database or user uploads may be retrieved by image-based query. The ten best matching cases for each epiphysis are retrieved by CBIR and displayed with their BAA, similarity score, and the derived age estimate. The similarity is approximated by cross-correlation. The USC hand database includes 1,101 cases comprising four ethnic groups of both genders between zero and 18 years of chronological age with radiographs and two annotated BAA. The USC image data have been enriched by marking the epiphyseal centers between metacarpals and distal phalanges.

Results

Leave-one-out experiments yielded a mean error rate of 0.99 years and a standard deviation of 0.76 years in comparison with the mean USC–BAA. The research prototype enables radiologists to judge their agreement based on similarity of retrieved cases and the derived age.

Conclusions

CBIR provides support to the radiologist with a second opinion for BAA. Self-explanatory web applications can be established to support workflow integration. Enhancements in similarity computation and interface usability may further improve the system.

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Abbreviations

BAA:

Bone age assessment

CAD:

Computer-aided diagnosis

CARS:

Computer-assisted radiology and surgery

CBIR:

Content-based image retrieval

CBR:

Case-based reasoning

CLEF:

Cross-language evaluation forum

CCF:

Cross-correlation function

eROI:

Epiphyseal region of interest

GUI:

Graphical user interface

GP:

Greulich and Pyle

IDM:

Iterative distortion model

ImageCLEF:

Image retrieval track of the cross-language evaluation forum

IRMA:

Image retrieval in medical applications

PACS:

Picture archiving and communication system

QBE:

Query-by-example

RIS:

Radiological information system

ROI:

Region of interest

TW2/TW3:

Bone age ratings by Tanner and Whitehouse

USC:

University of Southern California

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Informatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwels str. 30, 52057, Aachen, Germany

    Benedikt Fischer, Petra Welter & Thomas M. Deserno

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwels str. 30, 52057, Aachen, Germany

    Rolf W. Günther

Authors
  1. Benedikt Fischer
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  2. Petra Welter
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  3. Rolf W. Günther
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  4. Thomas M. Deserno
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Correspondence to Benedikt Fischer.

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Fischer, B., Welter, P., Günther, R.W. et al. Web-based bone age assessment by content-based image retrieval for case-based reasoning. Int J CARS 7, 389–399 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-011-0627-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-011-0627-8

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