An algorithm for automatic tracking of nuclear boundaries

An image segmentation algorithm, based on boundary tracking, was introduced to achieve automatic segmentation of nuclei. This will improve reliability and reproducibility for the computer-assisted grading of routinely stained material, especially from biopsies, which often offer only scanty clinical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnalytical and quantitative cytology and histology Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 240
Main Authors Xiao, J, Christen, R, Minimo, C, Bartels, P H, Bibbo, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.1994
Subjects
Algorithms
Cell Nucleus - ultrastructure
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Male
Prostate - pathology
Prostate - ultrastructure
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Summary:An image segmentation algorithm, based on boundary tracking, was introduced to achieve automatic segmentation of nuclei. This will improve reliability and reproducibility for the computer-assisted grading of routinely stained material, especially from biopsies, which often offer only scanty clinical material. Nuclear grading systems using karyometric features were developed earlier. However, hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissues have proven difficult for automatic segmentation, which is a crucial part of an objective grading system. In this paper we describe an automatic tracking method that traces nuclear boundaries on the basis of edge information and local boundary features. There were two phases to the procedure. First, approximate boundaries were extracted by automatic thresholding; then, boundaries were refined through interactive tracking. The results are encouraging.
ISSN:0884-6812
2690-7593