Numerical model observers in medical image quality assessment

Today, numerical model observers are increasingly used to assist or substitute medical specialists in evaluation of the quality of medical imaging systems. In particular, the model known as channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) is recognized to approximate human observer performance reasonably well. The model relies on the property of human visual system to process visual information through frequency selective channels. Nevertheless, the results reported in the literature mainly concern planar rather than volumetric image sets. Following the trends of rapidly emerging 3D imaging technologies in current clinical practice, we work to extend the concept of CHO from planar to volumetric imaging.


Interactive demonstrations
Demonstration of steerable channels for assessing medical image quality.

In our recent work, we investigate the optimal detection of asymmetrical signals with statistically known random orientation, based on joint detection and estimation theory. We derive the optimal channelized observer for this task and we show that the optimal detection in channel space requires the use of steerable channels, which are used in steerable pyramid transforms in image processing.


Acknowledgements

This work was performed in the context of the iMinds-MEVIC project.


Our publications
  • A. Wunderlich and B. Goossens, "Nonparametric EROC analysis for performance evaluation on combined detection and estimation tasks," Journal of Medical Imaging (Special Section on Pioneers in Medical Imaging: Honoring the Memory of Robert F. Wagner), Vol. 1, no. 3, p. 031002-(1-8), Oct. 2014.
  • L. Zhang, B. Goossens, C. Cavaro-Ménard, P. Le Callet and Di Ge, "A channelized Joint Observer (CJO) for the detection and estimation of signals with unknown amplitude, orientation and size", Journal of the Optical Society of America A (JOSA A), 2013, Vol 30, p. 2422-2432.
  • Lj. Platisa, B. Goossens, E. Vansteenkiste, S. Park, B. D. Gallas, A. Badano and W. Philips, "Channelized Hotelling observers for the assessment of volumetric imaging data sets, " Journal of the Optical Society of America A (JOSA A), 28(6), p. 1145-1163, 2011.
  • B. Goossens, Lj. Platisa, E. Vansteenkiste and W. Philips, "The Use of Steerable Channels for Detecting Asymmetrical Signals with Random Orientations", in Proc. SPIE Medical Imaging 2010, Feb. 13-18, San Diego, CA, USA
  • Lj. Platisa, B. Goossens, E. Vansteenkiste, A. Badano and W. Philips, "Using channelized Hotelling Observers to quantify the temporal effect of medical liquid crystal displays on the detection performance", in Proc. SPIE Medical Imaging 2010, Feb. 13-18, San Diego, CA, USA
  • Lj. Platisa, B. Goossens, E. Vansteenkiste, A. Badano and W. Philips, "Channelized Hotelling Observers for Detection Tasks in Multi-Slice Images", in Medical Image Perception XIII, Oct. 18-21, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
  • Lj. Platisa, B. Goossens, E. Vansteenkiste, A. Badano and W. Philips, "Channelized Hotelling Observers for the Detection of 2D Signals in 3D Simulated Images," in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Image Processing (ICIP2009), Cairo, Egypt
  • T. Kimpe, C. Marchessoux, G. Spalla, B. Goossens, H. Hallez, E. Vansteenkiste, S. Staelens and W. Philips, "A Software Simulation Framework to Predict Clinical Performance of Medical Displays, " in Proceedings of the 15th International Display Workshops (IDW), Niigata, Japan, Dec. 3-5, 2008
  • Lj. Platisa, E. Vansteenkiste, B. Goossens, C. Marchessoux, T. Kimpe and W. Philips, "Optimization of medical imaging display systems: using the channelized Hotelling observer for detecting lung nodules - experimental study, " in SPIE Medical Imaging 2009, Florida, USA, Feb. 7-12, 2009
  • C. Marchessoux, T. Kimpe, H. Hallez, B. Goossens, E. Vansteenkiste, T. Bert, S. Staelens, I. Lemahieu, W. Philips, "MEdical DIsplay Simulation Chain (MEDISIC): preliminary results," in Medical Image Perception Conference, Iowa City, IA, USA, Oct. 17-20, 2007