Selective pattern enhancement processing for digital mammography, algorithms, and the visual evaluation

Abstract

In order to enhance the micro calcifications selectively without enhancing noises, PEM (Pattern Enhancement Processing for Mammography) has been developed by utilizing not only the frequency information but also the structural information of the specified objects. PEM processing uses two structural characteristics i.e. steep edge structure and low-density isolated-point structure. The visual evaluation of PEM processing was done using two different resolution CR mammography images. The enhanced image by PEM processing was compared with the image without enhancement, and the conventional usharp-mask processed image. In the PEM processed image, an increase of noises due to enhancement was suppressed as compared with that in the conventional unsharp-mask processed image. The evaluation using CDMAM phantom showed that PEM processing improved the detection performance of a minute circular pattern. By combining PEM processing with the low and medium frequency enhancement processing, both mammary glands and micro calcifications are clearly enhanced.

A pilot study of architectural distortion detection in mammograms based on characteristics of line shadows

“…The FCR mammography system used in our experiment was equipped with advanced image processing, including gradation processing (GP) [16], multi-objective frequencyprocessing (MFP) [17], and pattern enhancement processing for mammography (PEM) [18]. GP is a process to customize image intensity and contrast in accordance with the imaging area or the purpose of diagnosis.…”