Automated spine measurement system

• Main Author: Zhong, Qingyao.
• Other Authors: Poh Chueh Loo
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Medicine::Optical instruments
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45146
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Quantitative assessment of the spine is an important aspect in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of spinal disorders, such as scoliosis. X-ray imaging allows for non-invasive diagnosis; however this is currently done qualitatively as images require interpretation by trained personnel and manual measurements of the spine are time-consuming and suffer from user variability. Poor image contrast, occlusions and noise adds to the difficulty. Computer analysis of the spine is much more efficient, but challenges faced include the suitability of computer at discerning complex visual information, which limits its application in analyzing like a trained radiologist. The goal of this project is to aid radiologists by developing an automated spine measurement system that is accurate, robust and reliable in the measurements of the dimensions of vertebral bodies, disc heights, posteroanterior displacements and Cobb angles, which are indicative of the extent of spine curvature and anomalies.