Spiculation Quantification Method Based on Edge Gradient Orientation Histogram

A new approach to quantify the lung nodule speculation levels in CT (computed tomography) images was proposed. Firstly, two-dimensional image of nodule was generated by using the spiral scan technology. Secondly, the lung nodule was segmented in the two-dimensional image using the dynamic programming. Thirdly, based on the expanded regions from the segmented boundary, the speculation was segmented by use of threshold segmentation. Fourthly, the feature region where speculation may exist was extracted on the region of speculation boundary. Finally, the edge gradient orientation histogram as a new quantitative index was extracted to quantify the speculation levels of the lung nodule. The experimental results indicate that this index can quantify the speculation levels accurately with better classification results.