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X-ray image segmentation for vertebral mobility analysis

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

Abstract

Objective

The goal of this work is to extract the parameters determining vertebral motion and its variation during flexion–extension movements using a computer vision tool for estimating and analyzing vertebral mobility.

Materials and Methods

To compute vertebral body motion parameters we propose a comparative study between two segmentation methods proposed and applied to lateral X-ray images of the cervical spine. The two vertebra contour detection methods include (1) a discrete dynamic contour model (DDCM) and (2) a template matching process associated with a polar signature system. These two methods not only enable vertebra segmentation but also extract parameters that can be used to evaluate vertebral mobility. Lateral cervical spine views including 100 views in flexion, extension and neutral orientations were available for evaluation. Vertebral body motion was evaluated by human observers and using automatic methods.

Results

The results provided by the automated approaches were consistent with manual measures obtained by 15 human observers.

Conclusion

The automated techniques provide acceptable results for the assessment of vertebral body mobility in flexion and extension on lateral views of the cervical spine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Department, Faculty of Engineering of Mons, Rue de Houdain 9, Mons, 7000, Belgium

    Mohammed Benjelloun & Saïd Mahmoudi

Authors
  1. Mohammed Benjelloun
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  2. Saïd Mahmoudi
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Correspondence to Saïd Mahmoudi.

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Benjelloun, M., Mahmoudi, S. X-ray image segmentation for vertebral mobility analysis. Int J CARS 2, 371–383 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-008-0149-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-008-0149-1

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