Implementation of a CADx scheme in the practice of mammography and extension for digital dental radiology

• Grant number: 14/13400-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Homero Schiabel
• Grantee: Homero Schiabel
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Izabel Regina Fischer Rubira Bullen

Abstract

Recent preliminary tests with radiologists on a prototype of a CADx (Computer-aided Diagnosis) scheme in mammography, developed previously by our team, have shown that their results are able to positively influence the medical report - especially regarding the interpretation of suspicious findings on laboratory controlled evaluations. Furthermore, such evaluations also indicate that system modules can also be used for applications with other types of similar images considering the typical findings in breast digital imaging, as, for instance, soft tissue calcifications. Thus, given the similarity of approach as well as the previous cooperation in other studies between the groups described in this proposal, the purpose here is investigating the effect of applying the CADx scheme in clinical practice of digital mammography and, besides, broadening the applications of image processing modules for digital dental radiology, addressed to the investigation of soft tissues calcifications in face panoramic images and also in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The expansion of the computational scheme coverage is supported by the common characteristics between signals investigated in breast digital images (microcalcifications) and the head/neck ones (identification of atheroma and anomalous ossification). Therefore it is intended a better and widely use of the computational tools in order to increase the confidence level of the health professional, consequently improving the diagnostic accuracy in this field. Simultaneously, this project intends to associate the CADx scheme to a digital image database for implementing the corresponding software on a free scheme of image processing to be available on the Internet. (AU)