Automated hand thermal image segmentation and feature extraction in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of the study was (1) to perform an automated segmentation of hot spot regions of the hand from thermograph using the k-means algorithm and (2) to test the potential of features extracted from the hand thermograph and its measured skin temperature indices in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis. Thermal image analysis based on skin temperature measurement, heat distribution index and thermographic index was analyzed in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls. The k-means algorithm was used for image segmentation, and features were extracted from the segmented output image using the gray-level co-occurrence matrix method. In metacarpo-phalangeal, proximal inter-phalangeal and distal inter-phalangeal regions, the calculated percentage difference in the mean values of skin temperatures was found to be higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients (5.3%, 4.9% and 4.8% in MCP3, PIP3 and DIP3 joints, respectively) as compared to the normal group. k-Means algorithm applied in the thermal imaging provided better segmentation results in evaluating the disease. In the total population studied, the measured mean average skin temperature of the MCP3 joint was highly correlated with most of the extracted features of the hand. In the total population studied, the statistical feature extracted parameters correlated significantly with skin surface temperature measurements and measured temperature indices. Hence, the developed computer-aided diagnostic tool using MATLAB could be used as a reliable method in diagnosing and analyzing the arthritis in hand thermal images.

Snekhalatha U ，Anburajan M ，Sowmiya V ，Venkatraman B ，Menaka M ... -  《-》

Computer-based automated analysis of X-ray and thermal imaging of knee region in evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Snekhalatha U ，Rajalakshmi T ，Gopikrishnan M ，Gupta N ... -  《-》

Computer-based measurements of joint space analysis using metacarpal morphometry in hand radiograph for evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim and objectives are as follows: (i) to perform an automated segmentation of the hand from radiographs using a dual tree complex wavelet-based watershed algorithm; ii) to compare the measured statistical features of the joint space of the hand using gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) method with standard diagnostic parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifty-three patients with RA and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, health assessment questionnaire score (HAQ), disease activity score (DAS) and hand radiographs of all the subjects were obtained. Joint space width and cortical thickness were measured in metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and metacarpal bone semi-automatically using MIMICS software. Dual tree complex wavelet transform-based watershed algorithm was applied for automated segmentation, and feature extraction was performed using the GLCM method in hand radiographs of the total population. In the RA group (n = 53), the joint space width measured in the MCP1, MCP3, MCP5 of the hand were reduced significantly (P < 0.01) by 16.4%, 15.6%, and 17.5%, respectively compared to the normal group (n = 17). The measured combined cortical thickness at the second, third and fourth metacarpal bones of the hand were reduced significantly (P < 0.01) by 9.5%, 12% and 8%, respectively in the RA group compared to the normal group. The dual tree complex wavelet transform-based watershed algorithm provided effective segmentation in the digitized hand radiographs. The standard diagnostic parameters for RA were highly correlated with measured statistical features at MCP3 hand joint in the total population studied.

Snekhalatha U ，Anburajan M 《-》

Ultrasound Color Doppler Image Segmentation and Feature Extraction in MCP and Wrist Region in Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Snekhalatha U ，Muthubhairavi V ，Anburajan M ，Gupta N ... -  《-》

Thermography and colour Doppler ultrasound: a potential complementary diagnostic tool in evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis in the knee region.

Umapathy S ，Thulasi R ，Gupta N ，Sivanadhan S ... -  《-》