Abstract

In this thesis, we propose a novel algorithm for detecting needles and their corresponding implanted radioactive seed locations in the prostate. The seed localization process is carried out efficiently using separable Gaussian filters in a probabilistic Gibbs random field framework. An approximation of the needle path through the prostate volume is obtained using a polynomial fit. The seeds are then detected and assigned to their corresponding needles by calculating local maxima of the voronoi region around the needle position. In our experiments, we were able to successfully localize over 85% of the implanted seeds. Furthermore, as a regular part of a brachytherapy cancer treatment, patient’s prostate is scanned using a trans-rectal ultrasound probe, its boundary is manually outlined, and its volume is estimated for dosimetry purposes. In this thesis, we also propose a novel semi-automatic segmentation algorithm for prostate boundary detection that requires a reduced amount of radiologist’s input, and thus speeds up the surgical procedure. Saved time can be used to re-scan the prostate during the operation and accordingly adjust the treatment plan. The proposed segmentation algorithm utilizes texture differences between ultrasound images of the prostate tissue and the surrounding tissues. It is carried out in 5 the polar coordinate system and it uses three-dimensional data correlation to improve the smoothness and reliability of the segmentation. Test results show that the boundary segmentation obtained from the algorithm can reduce manual input by the factor of 3, without significantly affecting the accuracy of the segmentation (i.e. semi-automatically estimated prostate volume is within 90% of the original estimate).

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Prostate--Ultrasonic imaging; Prostate-- Cancer--Diagnosis; Radioisotope brachytherapy; Image processing--Digital techniques; Algorithms

Publication Date

9-25-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Electrical Engineering (KGCOE)

Advisor

Saber, Eli - Chair

Advisor/Committee Member

Misic, Vladimir

Advisor/Committee Member

Dianat, Sohail

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: RC280.P7 S36 2006

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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