Quantitative technics in ultrasonic diagnosis

: This paper presents techniques for computer-aided analysis of medical ultrasonic images. Methods of image processing, feature extraction and a classification algorithm for tissue characterization are described. Based on these techniques a pattern recognition system for semi-automatic analysis of ultrasonic images has been developed and proved within three clinical studies, which aimed to improve the ultrasound diagnosis of the prostate, the thyroid and the female breast. The results show that computer analysis of ultrasonic images is capable of providing a quantitative diagnosis as well as of differentiating tumor lesions by sonography.