Interactive computer-assisted approach for evaluation of ultrastructural cilia abnormalities

Christoph Palm; Heiko Siegmund; Matthias Semmelmann; Claudia Grafe; Matthias Evert; Josef A. Schroeder

doi:10.1117/12.2214976

24 March 2016 Interactive computer-assisted approach for evaluation of ultrastructural cilia abnormalities

Christoph Palm, Heiko Siegmund, Matthias Semmelmann, Claudia Grafe, Matthias Evert, Josef A. Schroeder

Proceedings Volume 9785, Medical Imaging 2016: Computer-Aided Diagnosis; 97853N (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2214976
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Introduction – Diagnosis of abnormal cilia function is based on ultrastructural analysis of axoneme defects, especialy the features of inner and outer dynein arms which are the motors of ciliar motility. Sub-optimal biopsy material, methodical, and intrinsic electron microscopy factors pose difficulty in ciliary defects evaluation. We present a computer-assisted approach based on state-of-the-art image analysis and object recognition methods yielding a time-saving and efficient diagnosis of cilia dysfunction. Method – The presented approach is based on a pipeline of basal image processing methods like smoothing, thresholding and ellipse fitting. However, integration of application specific knowledge results in robust segmentations even in cases of image artifacts. The method is build hierarchically starting with the detection of cilia within the image, followed by the detection of nine doublets within each analyzable cilium, and ending with the detection of dynein arms of each doublet. The process is concluded by a rough classification of the dynein arms as basis for a computer-assisted diagnosis. Additionally, the interaction possibilities are designed in a way, that the results are still reproducible given the completion report. Results – A qualitative evaluation showed reasonable detection results for cilia, doublets and dynein arms. However, since a ground truth is missing, the variation of the computer-assisted diagnosis should be within the subjective bias of human diagnosticians. The results of a first quantitative evaluation with five human experts and six images with 12 analyzable cilia showed, that with default parameterization 91.6% of the cilia and 98% of the doublets were found. The computer-assisted approach rated 66% of those inner and outer dynein arms correct, where all human experts agree. However, especially the quality of the dynein arm classification may be improved in future work.

Citation Download Citation

Christoph Palm, Heiko Siegmund, Matthias Semmelmann, Claudia Grafe, Matthias Evert, and Josef A. Schroeder "Interactive computer-assisted approach for evaluation of ultrastructural cilia abnormalities", Proc. SPIE 9785, Medical Imaging 2016: Computer-Aided Diagnosis, 97853N (24 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2214976

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available