Almen
Laboratories has developed a computer-aided tool for breast
ultrasound image analysis that operates with the physician in
the loop. The system compares a breast mass in question to a
database of patient lesion images with verified known findings,
displays those most similar to it and then computes CAD
assessment of the lesion in question following the American
College of Radiologists and FDA approved BI-RADS Lexicon,
Classification and method. The computed assessment
is based on confirmed findings of the retrieved
similar cases. Our approach
has considerable appeal and may be more readily acceptable to
radiologists because it does clearly show which factors have led
to the recommendation or classification. This allows the
radiologist the option to consider the findings with higher
confidence and to apply her/his own threshold for a decision. In
the future, development of the proposed system may advance the
application into the diagnostic area, for detection of
suspicious masses, for more accurate disease diagnosis following
interpretive guidelines and a validated clinical database, even
to other imaging problems.
Our approach
applies a database of verified known findings to which an
unknown may be compared and evaluated. Storage and retrieval of
these images is accomplished through identification of key
information content of the breast masses themselves (case-based
reasoning). We suggest that lesions of lower suspicion level
such as cysts may be ruled out as candidates for biopsy with
higher degree of confidence when image interpretation is made
with support of this computer-aided imaging tool.
We implemented
ASP .NET web version of the developed Breast Ultrasound CAD
solely for educational purposes. The goal of this Internet
deployment for individuals is to use the non-diagnostic
tool through our professional services tailored to the needs of the individual
customers (primary physicians, family doctors,
radiologists in small practices and patients who
would be interested in computer understanding of
their test images). The use of
the deployed Breast CAD is strictly subject to
Disclaimer
that specifically instruct on limitations and
research oriented intentions of
use. In order to start using the on-line Breast Ultrasound CAD
confirm that you agree with all provisions and clause of the
Disclaimer and then
proceed to informational and service pages of this
web site.
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