An object-based image analysis approach to spine detection in CT images

While computer assistance became common in medical practice, some of the most challenging tasks that remain unsolved are in the area of automatic detection and recognition. The human visual perception is in general far superior to computer vision algorithms. Object-based image analysis is a relatively new approach that aims to lift image analysis from a pixel-based processing to a semantic region-based processing of images. It allows to effectively integrate reasoning processes and contextual concepts into the recognition method. In this paper we present an approach that applies object-based image analysis to the task of detecting the spine in CT images. We show that with this method region-based features, contextual information and domain knowledge, especially concerning the typical shape and structure of the spine and its components, can be used effectively in the analysis process.