Intelligent feature selection for model-based bone segmentation in digital radiographs

In this paper we propose a method to enhance Active Shape Model based bone segmentation. One major weakness of the classic algorithm is the use of a single dedicated image feature. However to model the variation of image content along the object boundaries it is more suitable to use different features for different regions. We derive an automatic intelligent selection of these features and integrate it into the classic Active Shape Model segmentation. We evaluated the proposed algorithm on the task of delineating bone structures in more than 150 clinical radiographs of the lower extremity and achieve superior accuracy compared to previously published approaches.