Recognition of Lung Nodules from X-ray CT Images Using 3D Markov Random Field Models

In this paper, we propose a new recognition method of lung nodules from X-ray CT images using 3D Markov random field(MRF) models. Pathological shadow candidates are detected by a mathematical morphology filter, and volume of interest(VOI) areas which include the shadow candidates are extracted. The probabilities of the hypotheses that the VOI areas come from nodules(which are candidates of cancers) and blood vessels are calculated using nodule and blood vessel models evaluating the relations between these object models by 3D MRF models. If the probabilities for the nodule models are higher, the shadow candidates are determined to be abnormal. By applying this new recognition method to actual 38 CT images, good results has been acquired.