Novel neural network classification of maternal fetal ultrasound planes through optimized feature selection

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) imaging is an essential diagnostic technique in prenatal care, enabling enhanced surveillance of fetal growth and development. Fetal ultrasonography standard planes are crucial for evaluating fetal development parameters and detecting abnormalities. Real-time imaging, low cost, non-invasiveness, and accessibility make US imaging indispensable in clinical practice. However, acquiring fetal US planes with correct fetal anatomical features is a difficult and time-consuming task, even for experienced sonographers. Medical imaging using AI shows promise for addressing current challenges. In response to this challenge, a Deep Learning (DL)-based automated categorization method for maternal fetal US planes are introduced to enhance detection efficiency and diagnosis accuracy. This paper presents a hybrid optimization technique for feature selection and introduces a novel Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) for reliable maternal fetal US plane classification. A large dataset of maternal–fetal screening US images was collected from publicly available sources and categorized into six groups: the four fetal anatomical planes, the mother's cervix, and an additional category. Feature extraction is performed using Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), and optimization methods such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), and a hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization and Grey Wolf Optimization (PSOGWO) approach are utilized to select the most relevant features. The optimized features from each algorithm are then input into both conventional and proposed DL models. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach surpasses conventional DL models in performance. Furthermore, the proposed model is evaluated against previously published models, showcasing its superior classification accuracy. In conclusion, our proposed approach provides a solid foundation for automating the classification of fetal US planes, leveraging optimization and DL techniques to enhance prenatal diagnosis and care.