Content Based Retrieval Systems in a Clinical Context
Frederico Valente, Carlos M. A. Costa, Augusto Silv · InTech eBooks · 2013
A promising approach to solve the data explosion problem is to integrate computer-based assistance into the image querying and storage processes.This brings us into the topic of Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR).At its core, CBIR are a set of techniques to extract relevant pieces of information directly from an image or multimedia object itself with minimum (ideally none) intervention from a human.The overarching goals are to improve the efficiency, accuracy, usability and reliability of medical imaging services within healthcare enterprises by analyzing content extracted directly from raw image data. Picture archive and communication systemsIn a medical imaging institution, such as a hospital or a clinic, the set of technologies employed through the processes of archiving, visualizing, acquiring and distributing medical images over a computer network (see Figure 1) is commonly referred to as a Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS).PACS have evolved tremendously since when, as early as 1972, Dr.Richard J. Steckel implemented a minimal imaging system, comprising not much more than a scanner next to a film developer for digitalization of radiographs, a communication protocol to transmit those images and a video monitor to receive and display them [5].No more than a proof of concept back then, but fast forward to current days, however, and a properly integrated hospital, or an enterprise PACS implementation is now a major undertaking that requires careful planning and several million dollars of investment [6].Such investment is often required since large PACS commonly have to handle more than 20000 radiological procedures per year each procedure comprising potentially hundreds of distinct images.This means around 10 Terabytes of imaging information are stored per year [7].It is in such situations that Content Based Image Retrieval systems are expected to provide the largest benefits.PACS are still a very active field of research where the ever-changing requirements and the desire to provide more efficient services coupled with new ideas.Figure 2 shows a chronological view of the different challenges that arose and of some of the problems in which the research community is currently focusing.The push for CBIR enabled PACS has gained momentum since the late 90's up to the present day, however, even nowadays there are very few such systems currently powering medical institutions.